Melt-in-Your-Mouth Eggnog Rum Balls Recipe for Holiday Joy

Festive holiday gatherings sparkle with these boozy eggnog rum balls that blend creamy, nostalgic flavors into bite-sized delights.

Crushed cookies and rich rum create a perfect holiday treat that melts in your mouth.

The classic dessert combines sweet crumbs with a spirited kick that warms winter celebrations.

Rolled in powdered sugar, these no-bake morsels deliver a delectable punch of seasonal cheer.

Each rum ball carries the essence of traditional Christmas memories and contemporary indulgence.

Prepare to impress your guests with this simple yet sophisticated confection that promises to become a cherished tradition.

These irresistible treats will be the talk of your holiday party.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 95 kcal

Servings: 25

What’s Inside Eggnog Rum Balls

• Vanilla Wafers: Crunchy foundation that provides texture and subtle sweetness, select fresh crisp cookies for best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate smoothness and helps bind ingredients, choose fine-quality sugar for silky consistency.

• Cinnamon: Warm spice that brings cozy holiday warmth, use freshly ground for maximum aromatic impact.
• Nutmeg: Rich, earthy spice that complements eggnog's creamy profile, grate whole nutmeg for most vibrant flavor.
• Salt: Tiny pinch balances and intensifies overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Dark Rum: Delivers rich, complex alcoholic depth, select high-quality aged rum for sophisticated taste.
• Eggnog: Creamy base that provides moisture and festive holiday essence, choose thick, full-fat version for best texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rounded sweetness, opt for pure extract rather than artificial flavoring.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant snowy coating, sift for smooth, even coverage.

Tools That Make Eggnog Rum Balls Fun to Prepare

• Food processor or rolling pin: Essential for crushing vanilla wafers into fine crumbs.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like powdered sugar, rum, and spices.
• Zip-top bag (optional): Alternative method for crushing wafers if no food processor is available.
• Parchment paper: Needed for lining the tray when chilling rum balls.
• Baking tray: Used for placing and chilling the rum balls.
• Hands: Primary tool for rolling mixture into small balls and coating with powdered sugar.

Chill and Roll Eggnog Rum Balls the Right Way

• Crush the Base

Break vanilla wafers into tiny pieces using a food processor or smashing them in a sealed bag with a rolling pin.

• Blend Dry Ingredients

Combine crumbs with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of salt in a mixing bowl, stirring until everything is evenly distributed.

• Create Dough

Pour dark rum, eggnog, and vanilla extract into the mixture. Stir until the texture becomes sticky and holds together. Add extra eggnog if the dough seems too dry.

• Shape Delights

Scoop small portions of the mixture and roll between your palms to create bite-sized balls. Aim for around 20-25 rum balls.

• Add Festive Coating

Gently roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely covered, creating a beautiful winter-like appearance.

• Chill and Set

Place rum balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least two hours. For longer storage, freeze up to one month.

• Celebrate and Share

Remove chilled rum balls and serve at holiday gatherings or package as delightful homemade gifts for friends and family.

Ways to Put Your Own Spin on Eggnog Rum Balls

• Eggnog Rum Balls Secrets
• Ensure your rum balls are not too wet or dry by gradually adding eggnog or crumbs until the mixture holds together when gently squeezed.
• These delightful treats can be prepared weeks in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making holiday prep stress-free.
• For a non-alcoholic version, replace rum with apple juice or additional eggnog. Gluten-free bakers can substitute vanilla wafers with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour.
• Instead of powdered sugar, roll rum balls in crushed pecans, toasted coconut, or melted chocolate for exciting flavor and texture variations.
• Create a mocktail version by using rum extract instead of dark rum, delivering the same delicious holiday flavor without alcohol content.

Serve Eggnog Rum Balls at Holiday Tables

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange rum balls beautifully on a decorative festive plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint leaves for an elegant presentation.
• Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside warm coffee, hot cocoa, or a small glass of additional rum for a delightful after-dinner indulgence that complements the rich flavors.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack rum balls in clear cellophane bags tied with seasonal ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts that friends and family will absolutely adore.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Lightly dust extra powdered sugar on top or roll some balls in crushed pecans or toasted coconut for added texture and visual appeal.

Store Eggnog Rum Balls and Keep the Texture Right

• Keep rum balls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
• Carefully stack rum balls between parchment paper layers in a sealed freezer-safe container, where they'll stay delicious for one month without losing quality.
• Craft these treats 3-5 days before your event, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while simplifying your holiday preparation timeline.
• Nestle rum balls in decorative small tins or clear cellophane bags with festive ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts that wow friends and family.

FAQs

• Can children eat Eggnog Rum Balls?

These contain actual rum, so they are not suitable for children. The alcohol remains in the recipe and is not cooked out.

• How strong are the rum balls?

They have a noticeable rum flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, you can reduce the rum amount or use rum extract instead of actual rum.

• What type of rum works best?

Dark rum is recommended for this recipe as it provides a deeper, richer flavor that complements the eggnog and spices. Spiced rum can also be a good alternative.

• Can I make these without alcohol?

Yes, you can substitute the rum with additional eggnog or use rum extract for flavor without the alcohol content. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

Decadent Eggnog Rum Balls Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Creamy eggnog rum balls deliver holiday cheer through rich, boozy bites of festive flavor. Classic Christmas confections mix rum, cookie crumbs, and warming spices for delightful no-bake treats you’ll savor during seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) spiced rum
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) eggnog
• ¼ cup (57 g / 2 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (473 ml / 16 fl oz) vanilla wafer crumbs
• 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Crumb Preparation: Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor or crush within a sealed bag until finely ground, transferring the resulting crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt with wafer crumbs, mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the base.
3. Liquid Integration: Fold dark rum, eggnog, and vanilla extract into the crumb mixture, working the liquids until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough forms. Adjust moisture by adding small amounts of eggnog if the mixture appears too dry.
4. Shaping and Coating: Using clean hands, roll the mixture into uniform one-inch spheres, then gently roll each ball in powdered sugar to create a delicate, frost-like exterior. Arrange the coated rum balls on a parchment-lined tray.
5. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the rum balls for a minimum of two hours to solidify and enhance their flavor profile. For extended preservation, these confections can be frozen up to one month, maintaining their rich, festive essence.

Notes

Crush Cookies Carefully: Use gentle, consistent pressure when pulverizing wafers to achieve fine, uniform crumbs without creating large chunks that disrupt texture.

Moisture Management: Add eggnog incrementally to control dough consistency, ensuring the mixture holds together without becoming too wet or dry, which can affect ball formation.

Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerate rum balls for at least two hours to help them firm up, enhance flavor melding, and make handling easier during coating and serving.

Customize Coating Options: Experiment with alternative coatings like cocoa powder, finely chopped nuts, or melted chocolate to add variety and personal flair to the classic powdered sugar finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Cocktails
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 95
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 27 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg