Thursday, December 18, 2014

Holiday Rum Balls

This recipe comes from my late mother-in-law.  She made wonderful Christmas cookies every year, and we all gained at least five pounds enjoying them!   These require no baking and they improve with age.  I took them to a party the same night, and they must have been good because they were gone before I turned around--no time to age!

3 cups whole vanilla wafers (approximately 36), crushed (I use my food processor)
1 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup rum (or whiskey)

Combine the above in a large bowl.  Roll into small balls (I found it helpful to wet my hands) and then roll in powdered sugar.  Refrigerate to firm up and serve at room temp.


Simple ingredients


Combine ingredients in a large bowl


Mix thoroughly


Roll into balls and place on parchment or wax paper covered cookie sheet 


Roll in powdered sugar


They look like snow balls!


If you are leaving some for Santa, don't leave too many! These are potent, and you don't want him to get a DUI while delivering the gifts! It's probably best if these are reserved for a grown-up treat!


 If you enjoy my Lucille series (Unholy Matrimony out now), Hit and Nun will be out the beginning of January!  I will keep you posted.

And, coming in August 2015, Berried Secrets, the first in my Cranberry Cove series.  It's available for pre-order now from Amazon!

Stop by my web site for more up-dates and join me on Facebook.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

 


8 comments:

  1. I haven't made rum balls in years. I used to make them with chocolate cookies.

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    1. Sandy, there numerous variations--your imagination is the limit! I think they were popular "back in the day" as my daughter calls it, but they are so easy to make and certainly put you in the holiday spirit (pun intended lol!)

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  2. These sound terrific!
    As to variations, chocolate, of course, sounds good. As does bourbon. (Would that make them bourbon bonbons?)
    Thanks for the inspiration

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  3. I bet these would also be good made with Crown Royal Maple whiskey. It'd be like eating little potent pancakes, lol.

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  4. now my recipe calls for coco powder to be added and roll in granulated sugar. And of course the longer they sit in a tin the stronger they get.

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  5. Mmmm! Thank you, Peg! They look great and there will be none left around here for Santa.

    XO

    MJ

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  6. Thanks for the very stimulating post, Peg. My husband immediately flashed back to his boyhood in the kitchen, watching his mom smash cookies from the local bakery and roll them up with dark rum. He recalls sneaking a few of them, and swears they made the season bright. We hope all of your holidays are as merry and bright, too.

    ~ Cleo

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful recipe and one I'll add to my holiday cookies. Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday.

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