There’s something magical about rum ball truffles—they taste like a grown-up treat but come together with almost no effort. I first fell in love with these little boozy bites at a holiday party years ago, and after one taste, I begged the host for the recipe. Turns out, it’s ridiculously simple: just crushed vanilla wafers, cocoa, a splash of rum, and a few pantry staples. No baking, no fuss. The hardest part? Waiting the hour for them to chill! These no-bake gems are rich, slightly boozy, and perfect for gifting (or sneaking straight from the fridge). Plus, they’re totally vegetarian, making them a crowd-pleaser for almost any gathering.
Ingredients for Rum Ball Truffles
Gather these simple ingredients—you probably have most in your pantry already! The magic happens with:
- 2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 cookies)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted to avoid lumps
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed adds extra richness)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional but recommended for crunch)
- 3 tbsp light rum (or milk for non-alcoholic version)
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup (helps bind everything together)
- Extra powdered sugar or cocoa powder for rolling (about 1/4 cup)
Pro tip: Crush those wafers until they’re almost powdery—big chunks make rolling tricky!
How to Make Rum Ball Truffles
Trust me—these couldn’t be easier to make! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfect rum ball truffles every time. The whole process takes about 15 minutes (plus chilling time), and the result tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium mixing bowl (about 3 quarts is perfect) and add your crushed vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and nuts if using. Here’s my trick: whisk the dry ingredients together first—this prevents those annoying cocoa powder clumps! Fold everything gently until it looks evenly mixed, like chocolate sand.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now for the fun part! Pour in the corn syrup and rum (start with 2 tablespoons of rum—you can add the extra tablespoon if needed). Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands (I always go hands-on!) until the mixture comes together like a stiff dough. If it feels too dry, add that extra rum bit by bit. Too sticky? A sprinkle more powdered sugar fixes it right up.
Step 3: Shape and Coat
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll quickly between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Work fast—the warmth of your hands can make them sticky! Roll each ball in powdered sugar or cocoa powder (I love doing half and half for variety). Pro tip: drop a few balls at a time into your coating bowl and gently shake—less messy than rolling!
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Line them up on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop in the fridge for at least an hour. This waiting period is crucial—it lets the flavors meld and firms them up perfectly. Once chilled, transfer to an airtight container… if they last that long before disappearing!
Why You’ll Love These Rum Ball Truffles
These little treats are absolute magic—here’s why they’ve become my go-to dessert:
- No-bake bliss: Zero oven time means you can whip them up even on the hottest summer day (or when you’re just feeling lazy).
- Rich, grown-up flavor: That perfect balance of chocolate warmth and rum depth—like a fancy truffle without the fuss.
- Endlessly customizable: Swap nuts, roll in coconut, or add espresso powder for your own signature twist.
- Gift-worthy: Pretty in a tin or box, they make everyone feel special (though I won’t judge if you “forget” to share).
Honestly? They taste way more impressive than the effort required—my favorite kind of recipe!
Tips for Perfect Rum Ball Truffles
After making hundreds of these little gems, here are my can’t-live-without tricks:
- Crush those wafers fine! Pulse in a food processor or smash them in a bag—big chunks make rolling messy.
- Fresh is best: Stale nuts? Toss ’em. They add off-flavors. Toast them lightly for extra aroma if you’ve got time.
- Rum control: Add 2 tbsp first—the dough should hold together when squeezed. More rum = stickier balls (but hey, no judgment).
- Chill your hands: Run them under cold water before rolling to prevent sticky disasters.
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
One of my favorite things about these rum ball truffles? How easily they adapt to different needs!
- No alcohol? Swap rum for milk, apple juice, or 1 tsp rum extract + 3 tbsp liquid.
- Gluten-free: Use GF vanilla wafers or almond flour cookies—they work beautifully.
- Nut-free: Skip nuts entirely or use toasted coconut flakes for texture.
- Corn syrup substitute: Honey or maple syrup works, but they’ll be slightly stickier.
Pro tip: Taste your mixture before rolling—adjust sweetness with extra cocoa if needed!
Storing and Serving Rum Ball Truffles
These little beauties keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks—though mine never last that long! The rum acts as a natural preservative, so they actually get better after a day or two. Just let them come to room temp for about 10 minutes before serving for that perfect soft-but-firm texture. Pro tip: Layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together!
Rum Ball Truffles Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop (per truffle): about 90 calories, with 3g fat and 8g sugar. But remember—these are estimates! Different brands of wafers or nuts will change things slightly. The rum adds zero fat or cholesterol, though—I call that a win!
FAQs About Rum Ball Truffles
Can I make these without alcohol?
Absolutely! Just swap the rum for milk, apple juice, or 1 tsp rum extract mixed with 3 tbsp of liquid. The texture stays perfect, and kids can enjoy them too (though they’ll still taste plenty grown-up).
How long do rum ball truffles keep?
They’re like little flavor time capsules! Stored in an airtight container, they’ll stay delicious for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. The rum actually helps preserve them—mine usually “disappear” long before then though.
Why are my truffles too sticky?
This usually means too much liquid—next time, start with 2 tbsp rum instead of 3. If they’re already mixed, just dust your hands with powdered sugar before rolling. Sticky hands? Run them under cold water first!
Can I freeze rum ball truffles?
I don’t recommend it—the texture gets weird when thawed. They keep so well at room temp that freezing isn’t necessary. Make a fresh batch instead (it only takes 15 minutes)!
What’s the best way to crush vanilla wafers?
My favorite method? Toss them in a zip-top bag and roll with a rolling pin—so satisfying! A food processor works too, but pulse carefully. You want fine crumbs, not powder (though powder still works in a pinch).
Share Your Rum Ball Truffles
Did you make these? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment—I adore seeing your creations.
Print
Easy 5-Ingredient Rum Ball Truffles You’ll Crave
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: 24 truffles 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy no-bake rum ball truffles with a rich chocolate flavor and a hint of rum.
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)
- 3 tbsp light rum
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- Extra powdered sugar or cocoa for rolling
Instructions
- Mix crushed vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and nuts in a bowl.
- Add rum and corn syrup, then stir until fully combined.
- Roll the mixture into small 1-inch balls.
- Coat each ball in powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace rum with milk or rum extract.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing powdered sugar if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: rum balls, truffles, no-bake dessert, chocolate, holiday treats
