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Easy No-Bake Rum Balls Recipe

These easy no-bake rum balls are a fun treat for the snack or dessert table. Bring them to any get-together, and you can pretty much count on them being a big hit!

Plates of rum balls covered in powdered sugar

This recipe can be made with real rum or rum flavor. Either way, they’re delicious and lots of fun for holiday parties or any other special occasion.

I highly recommend reading this entire post before you begin preparing the recipe. However, if all you want is the list of ingredients with full directions, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button above or scroll to the bottom of this post.

Something that most of us do is save certain recipes for the holidays. I don’t know why we wouldn’t make food we enjoy year-round.

Don’t wait until November or December to make these delicious little balls of deliciousness. If you want rum balls in July, then go right ahead and make them.

Although this is a Bacardi rum ball recipe, you can use whatever brand of rum you prefer.

And who says they have to be made with rum? You can also make them with other flavorings. Of course, they wouldn’t be rum balls, but you can call them whatever you want.

Rum Balls for Special Occasions

These no-bake rum balls are so good people have asked me to bring them to parties. I usually oblige once, twice, or even more times.

In fact, many years ago, my husband’s assistant requested a second batch after trying one at the office celebration.

Of course, I was flattered enough to bring more. He encouraged me to make more and offered to “take them off my hands.”

In case you’re wondering, I made a third batch that season. And I would have made even more if he asked.

The following year, he reminded me that he loved rum balls. That made me laugh because there was no way I could forget how much he enjoyed them.

Plate of no-bake rum balls

Eat Them Responsibly

There isn’t much rum in these rum balls, but since it’s not baked, the alcohol remains.

So I don’t recommend giving them to children … that is, unless you alter one ingredient in the recipe. If you want them to be child-friendly, use rum flavoring instead of the alcoholic version.

In fact, if you want to be really safe, make all of them with rum flavoring. No one will know the difference.

Although these no-bake rum balls are easy to make, they’re pretty messy.

As a matter of fact, I think anything with powdered sugar is messy because it’s light as air and drifts.

Any time I use it, I wind up with it all over me. But that’s okay. That’s what a shower is for.

Besides, it’s so worth it. Once you taste them, you’ll agree!

In fact, you might even go back to the kitchen to make some more.

No-bake rum balls on a small plate

These rum balls are a great party food. You can make them any time of year, but they’re particularly welcome at a holiday party.

If you have time, make one of these 3-tiered platters and display them on top.

Ingredients in No-Bake Rum Balls

In order to make rum balls, you only need a few ingredients. Here’s what you need to make no bake rum balls:

  • Vanilla wafers (regular or gluten-free)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cocoa powder
  • Pecans
  • Corn syrup (Light corn syrup is best, but you can use dark corn syrup if that’s all you have.)
  • Pecans
  • Rum (or rum flavoring)
Powdered sugar, vanilla wafers, rum, corn syrup, cocoa powder, and pecans

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

The grocery store was out of light corn syrup when I was shopping for this recipe. So I used the dark version. I could tell the difference, but they were still good.

Make sure you understand that corn syrup is completely different from cornstarch.

So don’t get them mixed up, or your rum balls won’t be moist enough to form them into balls.

The reason I bring this up is that I’ve given this recipe to friends through the years, and it’s happened. More than once, I’ve gotten a call asking why the recipe isn’t turning out.

At first, I couldn’t figure it out, but then one person said, “Maybe I put too much cornstarch in them.”

After that, the first question I asked was whether or not they used corn syrup.

Ingredient Variations

You can add other ingredients if you want. Add a little bit of flaked coconut or even some mini chocolate chips.

I’ve even added a splash of vanilla extract. That adds a touch of flavor, but to be honest, it doesn’t make that much difference.

If you’re not sure if something will work, just add a little bit to a portion of the mixture. That way, you’ll know whether or not you like it without risking the entire batch.

If you don’t have vanilla wafters, you can use graham crackers instead. The flavor will be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

How to Make No-Bake Rum Balls

First of all, you’ll need to crush the vanilla wafers. You can put them in a food processor if you’re in a hurry.

Or if you don’t have a food processor, you can put the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Just make sure they’re finely crushed before you use them. Otherwise, they’ll crumble apart.

Mix the crushed vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chopped pecans, corn syrup, and rum.

Rum ball batter in a bowl

You can use light or dark corn syrup. As I mentioned, since I couldn’t find the light, I picked up the dark.

Pinch off pieces of the batter and form them into small marble-sized balls. Roll them in the powdered sugar and set them on a plate.

Rolling the rum balls in powdered sugar

After a few minutes, roll the balls in the powdered sugar again for a second coating.

Allow them to rest for a few hours before serving.

Easy-to-make rum balls on a plate

More Great Recipes

If you like party food, check out these stuffed mushrooms. Make sure you have at least 3 or 4 per person at the party. They’ll disappear quickly, so maybe you need to make even more.

This spinach dip is another party favorite. You can serve it either hot or cold, so it’s easy to serve for a variety of get-togethers.

We also enjoy these mini stuffed peppers. They’re great for the party table, but they also make a great main course for a meal.

Another recipe that’s perfect for parties, try this barbecue party peanuts appetizer from Julia’s Simply Southern.

For a tastes-too-good-to-be-healthy, these crispy zucchini parmesan chips are amazing! I like to serve them with my favorite dip of the day.

Another savory crowd pleaser is a big plate of these bacon wrapped jalapeños. I make them in my air fryer, but you can make them in the oven if you prefer.

Sweet Treats and Fun Desserts

These rum balls are wonderful additions to any party snack table. Put them with the desserts, such as these yummy peanut butter cookies.

If you’re looking for more sweet treats, check out the recipe for this creamy orange fudge. It is so good! I’m thankful to the person who asked me to make it.

As a peanut butter lover, I enjoy these peanut butter balls. You can leave them as-is or dip them in chocolate! So yummy!

And if you like it, take a look at these 3 fudge recipes that are all super easy to make.

I also like these muddy buddies from Back to My Southern Roots.

If you like the taste of mint and chocolate together, you’ll love these delicious mint chocolate brownies! They’re easy to make, and they’re perfect for any sweets table.

Coconut lovers will appreciate these coconut balls. They’re easy to make with only 2 ingredients!

Yield: 20 rum balls

No-Bake Rum Balls

Plate of rum balls

These no-bake rum balls are a fun party food that will quickly disappear.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups of crushed vanilla wafers
  • 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup of chopped pecans
  • 3 tablespoons of corn syrup (light or dark)
  • 1/2 cup of rum (or 1/4 cup of rum flavoring + 1/4 cup of water - see notes)
  • Additional powdered sugar for the coating

Instructions

    1. In a food processor, crush the vanilla wafers until they are fine crumbs.
    2. Combine the crushed vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chopped pecans, corn syrup (not corn starch), and rum.
    3. Stir until mixed. I used my hands because it’s much easier.
    4. Pinch off pieces and roll them into balls the size of a large marble. Roll each on in powdered sugar.
    5. Set them aside on a plate. Let them rest for about 10 minutes and then roll them in a second coating of powdered sugar.
    6. It’s best to wait a few hours before eating. It takes a little while for all of the flavors to bloom.

Notes

If you prefer bourbon balls, all you have to do is substitute bourbon for the rum.

If you don’t want the alcohol, you can also use rum flavoring instead, but cut the amount in half. I recommend tasting them and adjusting the amount of rum flavoring because the strength varies.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 250Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 69mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 1gSugar 30gProtein 1g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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See this recipe shared at Meal Plan Monday, Weekend Potluck, and Full Plate Thursday.

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Nicki

Friday 22nd of December 2023

If you make these a day ahead do you need to refrigerate them?

southernhomeexpress

Friday 22nd of December 2023

Hi Nicki. I do refrigerate them, but it's not necessary unless your house is hot. My husband used to take them to work with him for holiday parties, and they always left them out.

Kathy Contes

Sunday 17th of December 2023

How finely should the pecans be chopped?

southernhomeexpress

Sunday 17th of December 2023

Hi Kathy. The pecans need to be finely crushed to keep the rum balls from falling apart. Thank you for asking! And I hope you enjoy them!

Kitten

Tuesday 5th of December 2023

Can you freeze them?

southernhomeexpress

Tuesday 5th of December 2023

Yes, you can freeze them! When it's time to thaw them, just put them in the fridge overnight, and they should be perfect the next day.

Carrots

Tuesday 3rd of January 2023

I know it's after the holidays, but I plan on making these for a Superbowl party. I'm wondering if anyone has ever substituted walnuts or almonds for the pecans and would the result be just as good. Would it change the texture and require more or less moisture?

southernhomeexpress

Wednesday 4th of January 2023

Hi Carrots. I've only used pecans, but I'm sure walnuts would work the same. I'm not as sure about almonds. I hope you and your guests enjoy these fun and super easy rum balls! They're always popular when I make them.

Lori johns

Tuesday 20th of December 2022

These rum. BAlls are a big hit Everyone keeps asking me for the recipe. Yum yum

southernhomeexpress

Tuesday 20th of December 2022

Hi Lori! I'm so glad everyone likes them! Thank you for letting me know!

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