Australian · Desserts

Rum Balls

Little no-bake truffles of crushed biscuits, cocoa, coconut and condensed milk, soaked with rum and rolled in coconut. A fixture of an Australian Christmas.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 30 min hands on plus 2 hr 30 min Chilling Serves 30 servings Easy
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How to Make Rum Balls

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  1. Mix the crushed biscuits, the 50 g of coconut and the cocoa in a large bowl.

  2. Stir in the condensed milk and rum until the mixture is thick and holds together. If it is too dry, add a little more condensed milk, and if it is too wet, add a few more crushed biscuits.

  3. Cover and chill the mixture for 30 minutes, until firm enough to roll.

  4. Roll the mixture into 30 balls, each about the size of a walnut. Roll half of them in the coconut and half in the sprinkles.

  5. Refrigerate the finished rum balls for at least 2 hours, until firm. Arrange in small paper cases.

Tips for Making Rum Balls

  • Use a dark or spiced rum. Its flavour comes through in the finished balls, while white rum tastes of little.
  • Add the rum gradually and stop when the mixture holds together. Too much liquid makes a sticky paste that cannot be rolled.
  • Make them a day or two in advance. The rum soaks into the crumbs and the flavour deepens with time.

What to Serve with Rum Balls

  • Strong coffee
  • Christmas cake
  • Fresh berries

Storing & Reheating Rum Balls

Keep in an airtight tin in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for 3 months. Bring to room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.

Rum Balls FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Rum Balls take to make?

About 30 minutes of hands-on work — 30 minutes of preparation and of cooking — plus 2 hours 30 minutes of Chilling, so allow 3 hours from start to finish. The recipe serves 30.

What are the key tips for making Rum Balls?

Use a dark or spiced rum. Its flavour comes through in the finished balls, while white rum tastes of little. Add the rum gradually and stop when the mixture holds together. Too much liquid makes a sticky paste that cannot be rolled. Make them a day or two in advance. The rum soaks into the crumbs and the flavour deepens with time.

What should I serve with Rum Balls?

Strong coffee; Christmas cake; Fresh berries.

Can Rum Balls be made ahead or frozen?

Keep in an airtight tin in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for 3 months. Bring to room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.

Is Rum Balls suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Rum Balls?

About 80 kcal per serving, with 1 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 4 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Rum Balls Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

80Calories
1gProtein
10gCarbs
4gFat
1gFibre
5gSugar
50mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.