Friday, December 19, 2008

Rum Balls


These are probably my most requested Christmas cookie (if you can call it a cookie). They are made with dark rum & have a very strong alcohol flavor. So, they are definitely not for kids!
I found the recipe in the December 2003 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. But, it can also be found on her website.
Rolling out all the balls can be quite time consuming. But, other than that, they are super easy.
This recipe makes about 4 dozen.
You will need a 12" x 17" rimmed baking sheet. This is pretty essential, as the amount of batter is based on this size pan. It's a standard size & should be easy to find.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a small saucepan of water to boil. Chop 6 ounces of good quality chocolate. You can use semi-sweet, or dark chocolate...whichever you prefer. Place in a heat proof bowl, that is big enough to fit over your saucepan.

Add 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter to the chocolate. Heat over the simmering pot of water, stirring occasionally, until melted.

Whisk 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup light brown sugar & 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Slowly add the chocolate to the egg mixture,

whisking constantly, to avoid cooking the eggs. Fold in 3/4 cup flour,

until just combined.

Pour the batter onto the baking sheet & spread out in a even layer. Bake for about 12 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through. I always know mine it's done when it starts to rise up in the center. Not sure if that will happen in everyone's oven...but, when done, a toothpick should come out with some crumbs attached.

Cool completely on a rack. When cool, crumble up the cake into small pieces & place in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

While mixer is running on low speed, slowly add a 1/4 cup of dark rum. Beat until the dough begins to stick together.

Scoop out dough by the tablespoon & roll into a ball form. Roll the ball in coarse sanding sugar. I like to use red or green sugar...or both. The Rum Balls can be served chilled, or at room temperature. But, I like them best cold. They will last for quite a few days in the fridge.

Rum Balls

Adapted from Martha Stewart: Cookies
Makes 4 dozen

Non-stick cooking spray
3/4 cups {1 1/2 sticks} unsalted butter, cut into pieces
6 ounces good quality semi-sweet, or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 large eggs
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 cups flour
3-6 tablespoons dark rum
sanding sugar, for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the butter & chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water & melt, stirring occasionally. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, light brown sugar, vanilla & salt. Slowly whisk in the melted chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour, until just blended.
Spray a 12" x 17" rimmed baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray & pour in the batter. Use a spatula to smooth it evenly.
Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack & cool.
Break up the brownie pieces into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on low until the brownie is completely broken up. Slowly add in the rum, a bit at a time & beat until the mixture forms into a ball. You will know it's the right texture if you can easily roll the dough & it holds its shape.
Scoop out the dough by the tablespoon & roll into a ball. Toss in sanding sugar & chill until ready to serve.

Click here for the printable recipe.

9 comments:

LMBrown said...

Your rum balls are the best! I love the last picture.

Anonymous said...

I can see why everyone loves these :)

test it comm said...

Those rum balls look good!

altaviese said...

OMG, thanks for the illustration. If it wasn't for your blog, I would not have realized how easy this is. Just about to pour in the alcohol now. Tnx again, Allie

Leslie Anne said...

I've just started eating my box of cookies (again, thank you so much!) and the rum balls are my current favorite. Miles assured me I will also like the "ones with coconut in them" because "you can't taste the coconut."

You are a fantastic cookie-maker :)

katie said...

Ha! Glad you like them!
Miles typically doesn't like coconut. But, last night I convinced him to try one...because even though they do taste like coconut, it's not intense. Plus, they taste more like candy than a cookie. Of course, he liked them after I said that :)
Have a great holiday!

Anonymous said...

I made these for Christmas this year, and they were a delicious hit. So simple, but so delicious. Thanks for posting!

http://jaimecooks.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/rum-balls/

Kelsey said...

I love, love, LOVE this recipe. I've made it every year since the magazine came out and it never disappoints!

Rika said...

Oh goodness I just found your blog and now it's 1am and I'm tempted to make these. Can't wait to try it out!

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