Maybe rum balls are more of an adult indulgence, but you wouldn't want your 2 year old eat too many cookies anyways, would you? After all, once the kiddos are all in bed, all cute and cuddly, parents are allowed a little something something made just for them. These rum balls also make a great part of the Christmas cookie basket that you would give to your neighbors and friends.
I am sharing the photo of the part of our last Christmas cookie collection. We made these rum balls with various alcohol, not only rum. We made our balls with cognac, Goldshlager, rum and even with Centerbe (this stuff)! The rest of the ingredients are also optional and open for interpretation and are only limited by your imagination.
Here is how we made them last year. Please note, the measurements are approximate, so please "play it by ear"; if the texture is too stiff, add more butter or alcohol (go easy on the alcohol, add by spoon), or if it is too soft, add more crumbs!
Graham cookie crumbs - 900 g
Butter (room temperature) - 200 g
Cocoa powder - 2-3 table spoons
Alcohol - 2-3 shots
(replace regular graham cookie crumbs with oreo crumbs, or other chocolate cookie crumbs and omit cocoa powder)
1 cup of toasted nuts (peanuts, walnuts, whatever other nuts you like) - toast them lightly in the 300F oven for a few minutes, then chop into small pieces.
Add raisins or dried cranberries, or candied fruit, mini chocolate chips of various colors, anything that can add to the texture and taste.
Then it is pretty simple, just put all ingredients together, mix well (by hand, it is the best way!) so that everything is mixed evenly. Form little balls, sprinkle with festive-looking red and green sprinkles, or just confectionery sugar. If you prefer, make other shapes, like cones, or little "snowmen". Place them on a flat cookie sheet and put in the fridge for an hour or so, so that they would cool off and hold the shape better.
Note, that you can make various kinds of these rum balls: make a batch with nuts, another batch with candied fruit, another batch with chocolate chips, etc.
Try not to eat them all at once!
Happy holidays!
