No-Bake Spiced Rum Balls
These No-Bake Spiced Rum Balls are a quick and easy holiday treat! They come together in minutes and taste even better after a day or two in the refrigerator. Perfect for gifting or make-ahead entertaining!
Servings: 36
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
Rum Ball Mixture
- 1 1/4 cups pecans
- 38 Biscoff cookies (300 gm; about 3/4 of a 13.2 oz/375 gm package)
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder natural or Dutch-process
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup spiced rum
- 2 Tbsp honey
Coating Options
- Choose one or mix several for a festive assortment:
- Unsweetened desiccated coconut
- Finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- Biscoff cookie crumbs
- Sprinkles or chocolate jimmies
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Confectioners’ sugar If using confectioners’ sugar, give the rum balls a freshroll before serving.
Instructions
Pulse the Dry Ingredients
- Add pecans and Biscoff cookies to a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Add confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder and pulse a few more times to combine.
Stir in the Wet Ingredients
- Transfer mixture to a large bowl. (Avoid adding the wet ingredients in the processor—the mixture becomes greasy and overprocessed.)
- Stir in the spiced rum, vanilla, and honey until a thick, sticky dough forms. Let rest 10 minutes so the crumbs can absorb the liquid.
Roll in Your Favorite Coatings
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll between your palms. The mixture will be slightly wet for coatings to adhere. Roll in your coating of choice after freshly rolled and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray.
Chill for Best Flavor
- Refrigerate 24 - 48 hours. The flavor becomes wonderfully smooth and mellow as the rum and spices absorb into the cookie mixture.
- For longer storage and best flavor, keep refrigerated. They will last 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator, 5 days at room temperature, or freeze up to 3 months.
- For serving, place rum balls in mini baking cups to keep coatings tidy and presentation festive.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tips & Freezer Instructions:
- Rum balls improve in flavor after a day or two—perfect for advance holiday prep. To freeze, place in a single layer to firm up, then transfer to a freezer-friendly container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Sugar-coated rum balls may need a quick re-roll before gifting or serving.
- To make alcohol free, replace the rum with ¼ cup orange juice + ¼ cup apple juice or cider. The flavor will be different—fruitier and more mild.
- Spiced rum adds the richest, warmest holiday flavor. Dark rum gives an intense molasses base, while white rum is mild and understated. Coconut rum adds sweetness and a tropical flavor. Bourbon would be a good substitution for rum as well.
- Instead of Biscoff, substitute Nilla Wafers, gingersnaps, or graham crackers. Keep in mind each will change the flavor slightly.
- To make nut-free, replace the pecans with 12–14 additional Biscoff cookies and coat in cookie crumbs, cocoa, or sprinkles.