How to Make Rum Balls

This mixture, at first, looks too liquid to succeed as properly solid balls. You may be tempted to add dry ingredients to make it a drier concoction. Never fear. Follow the instructions for perfect rum balls.

Ingredients

16 oz (454g) semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup butter (can substitute margarine if desired)
1 egg
1 1/4 cup powdered (icing) sugar
1 tsp. instant coffee (optional)
1/2 cup rum (light or dark)
For garnish any of the following: dip in melted chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, flaked coconut or powdered (icing) sugar mixed with cinnamon. (optional)

Steps

1
Assemble the ingredients.
2
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or a microwave on low power. Be very careful if you use a microwave. The chocolate chips tend not to look melted and the tendency is to overheat them. Seven minutes on power level 2 with a stir every few minutes in a standard microwave is sufficient. Cool the chips.

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3
Cream the margarine or margarine and butter mixture and add to the melted chocolate chips.
4
Blend in egg and powdered (icing) sugar, while continually mixing.
5
Slowly stir in the rum.
6
Pour the mixture into a container with little head space and cover with plastic wrap or a very tight lid. Sealing the container is important if you want to preserve the alcohol. Place the container in the fridge for 3+ hours or until the mixture is solid. You can leave the mixture to chill overnight, if you wish.
7
Roll into balls of whatever size you prefer and roll on a plate of garnish to finish them off. You can also serve them plain.
8
Store in a closed container in the freezer. You can serve them right from the freezer, since they rarely freeze.
9
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

What can be done if the rum balls are too dry?

Community Answer

It depends on the recipe you are using. Generally it works to break the balls apart and place them back into the bowl, then add either more rum or more syrup, depending on the recipe you used.
Question

Years ago at work on Christmas, a co-worker brought in rum balls that were not like the rum ball recipes here or on the internet. They were solid candies the size of a jaw breaker. How are these made?

Community Answer

This is done by cooking sugar and water to hard ball stage, which is 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and folding in rum. While this recipe is easily done at sea level, it is very difficult at high altitude.

Warnings

Coddle the egg (put boiling water in a mug and put the egg in it for 5 minutes), if you are worried about the risk of salmonella. It is likely that the amount of alcohol in the recipe should be sufficient to kill any bacteria present.

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A small but rather embarrassing fire can be caused by overheating chocolate chips and may result in hurriedly carrying your smoking microwave to your apartment balcony while you 'entertain' guests.

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You would have to eat many of these to reach the legal blood alcohol limit, but keep moderation in mind if you're mixing your rum balls with other drinks.

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