Rum Balls

Rum balls, they are delicious and potent.  They’re a great party snack because you can get drunk while eating them.  I got this recipe from a sad occasion, a friends father’s funeral.  I know a strange place to get such a fun recipe but the person who gave me the recipe brought some (apparently, they were one of my father’s friends favorite treats).  They were so tasty I asked for the recipe and I’ve made them once a year (or more) ever since.  They’re sticky, tasty and fun to eat, but remember, don’t eat to many because you will get hammered.

These rum balls are made with healthy ingredients unlike other non-vegan rum balls I’ve had but they taste just as good.  They’re simple to make, no oven required and they’ll be a hit at any grown-up party.

The ingredients for the rum balls are:

Walnuts - You can use Almonds or Pecans as well.  I like walnuts because another non-vegan recipe I have uses them and they taste good with walnuts.  Walnuts are mild in taste so they don’t overpower the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.  Plus, we’re going to add almond butter later.

Dates - These bring out the sweetness of the rum without using sugar.

Rum extract - I use real rum, sometimes 151 when I want even more of a punch. Make sure you get vegan rum that doesn’t use honey.

Maple syrup - Another ingredient that enhances the flavor of the rum and gives it a really good maple taste, also helps stick everything together.

Almond butter - It also helps keep everything together, plus gives a good taste. 

Vanilla extract - Because what dessert doesn’t need it?

Cacao powder - For dusting on it after, it makes them less sticky when eating plus it tastes good.

Dark Chocolate - You can use dairy-free chocolate but I prefer the flavor of dark, any time any day.  If you don’t like the bitterness of dark chocolate use you can try 50/50, half dark and half dairy-free milk chocolate so they don’t come out overly sweet.

Optional ingredients:

Vegan Sprinkles or shredded coconut. - I usually make a mixture of all three (plain, sprinkles and shredded coconut to give variety.

How to put them together, step by step:

· Put the nuts you picked in a food processor and blend them into a powder...flour like.

· Add dates, rum (or rum extract) and vanilla to the food processor as well and blend it until the ingredients look incorporated and sticky.

· Melt the dark chocolate (or non-dairy milk or a 50/50 mixture) on a double boiler or microwave until the chocolate is smooth, then stir in the maple syrup and almond butter.

· Pour the melted chocolate into the food processor and mix into a sticky, gooey dough you can make into balls with your hands.

· Roll the mixture into balls and then each ball into the cacao powder, vegan sprinkles or shredded coconut.

The woman who gave me the recipe made some with rum extract and the flavor wasn’t there.  I didn’t really like them, but I did love the ones with real rum so I make them with dark rum with no honey.  Start with 2 tbsp and adjust to your liking.  If the mixture is to wed add more cacao powder.

How to store them:

Store in the refrigerator in a zip lock bag or sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze them in a zip lock bag or sealed container for up to 3 months.  They taste really good out of the freezer.

If you have them out for a party, I would suggest doing it in stages. Keep some in the freezer or fridge, and some out. You can put them in a bowl inside another bowel with ice so they stay chilled longer. If left out after an hour or two they’ll start to get soft and sticky.

I’ve made these for parties and just for the hell of it for friends and I. They’re always a hit and I’ve learned to make more than I think I may need.