Rum balls are a grownup-favorite festive treat that are easy to make and fun to gift. These no-bake, boozy rum balls taste even better after a day or two in the refrigerator, so I recommend making them in advance.
Recipe by Sally on December 8, 2023
Prep time: PT45M
Total time: PT2H45M
Rating
5 stars ( reviews)
Keywords
rum balls
Ingredients
1 and 1/4 cups (150g) pecans
38 Biscoff cookies (300g) or Nilla Wafers (*see Note)
2 Tablespoons (10g) natural or dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder* (I like this dutch-process cocoa)
3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (120ml) spiced rum
2 Tablespoons (30ml) honey
1 cup desiccated unsweetened coconut (100g) OR finely chopped pecans (130g) (see Note)
Categories
Dessert
Cuisine
American
Steps
Place the pecans and Biscoff cookies in a food processor, and process until finely ground into crumbs. Add confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder, and pulse a few times until combined.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. (Do not do this step in the food processor.) Add the spiced rum, vanilla, and honey. Stir with a spatula until completely combined into a wet dough. Let sit for 10 minutes to give the crumbs time to absorb the liquid. During that time, place your coatings of choice in small bowls, for rolling.
Scoop a Tablespoon of the mixture (about 20g) and roll into a ball. Mixture will be a little wet—that’s ok. Roll the ball in coating and place on a lined baking sheet or tray. Repeat with remaining dough.
Refrigerate the rum balls for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days. I strongly recommend at least 1 day for best taste and texture. If refrigerating for longer than a few hours, cover tightly. The rum balls are also fine at room temperature for a few days.
When serving, you can place the rum balls in mini baking cups to keep any loose coatings from getting too messy.
Reviews
Sally R on 2024-12-31 (5 stars): Delicious! If you use Biscoff biscuits sized XL ("airline size"), you only need 23 biscuits to get the right consistency.
Nia on 2025-12-07 (5 stars): Made as is - delicious! Would prefer them quite a bit less sweet though. The biscoff cookies are sweet as is, in my opinion. Will skipping the honey and powdered sugar compromise the texture?
Toni on 2025-12-12 (5 stars): I've been making my mother-in-law's rum ball recipe for 40+ years and they are delicious, but you have converted me! These are so much easier and ever bit as good. Her recipe called for eggs as a binder, which I always questioned, since they aren't baked, but fortunately no one ever became sick. However, I do wonder why your recipe says good for up to only 5 days. There's nothing in them that will spoil, especially when kept refrigerated. Love your website and your recipes are well thought out and executed. Thank you!
M on 2026-04-27 (5 stars): I have made these at least 10 times and people always ask for the recipe!
I’ve also made them using Speculaas (Dutch spiced biscuits), and I have to say, I think they’re even tastier that way!
Thanks for a stellar recipe ❤️
Stacy F on 2025-12-08 (5 stars): Absolutely my new favorite rum balls! I’ve made them for years using Nilla wafers and Capt Morgan and man, I have been missing out.
Biscoff and Sailor Jerry spiced rum make for a MUCH better ball, perfect holiday vibes with the spiced cookie and not overly rich. (My adult kids were asking me to make Oreo balls and I am just so over the heavy chocolate- they are being retired for these now lol)
Using the mini cupcake liners made them look great (and kept from rolling) so thank you for suggesting the presentation!
Terri on 2025-12-18 (5 stars): I made these alcohol-free using Ritual Rum Alternative and a bourbon flavored honey. Absolutely delicious and so easy! Great recipe!
Terri on 2025-12-18 (5 stars): I made these alcohol-free using Ritual Rum Alternative and a bourbon flavored honey. Absolutely delicious and so easy! Great recipe!
