Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Rum Balls are made with crushed vanilla cookies, toasted chopped pecans, sugar, chocolate powder, salt, dark rum, honey, and vanilla. This easy Rum Balls recipe creates a tasty dessert that takes about 30 minutes to make and serves 36 people.
Pioneer Woman Rum Balls Ingredients
- 11 oz. box of vanilla wafers
- 1 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped
- 1 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: unsweetened cocoa powder, finely shredded coconut, finely chopped pecans, and nonpareils
How To Make Pioneer Woman Rum Balls
- Prepare the Base: In a food processor, finely grind the vanilla wafers and pecans until well combined, about 15 seconds. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Pulse about 5 times until the mixture is evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the dark rum, honey, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
- Form and Coat the Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture and roll it into 1-inch balls between your palms. Place each desired topping in a separate small bowl. Roll the balls in your chosen topping until thoroughly coated, then arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the rum balls until ready to serve, up to 5 days. If you’ve used powdered sugar for coating, you might need to toss them again in sugar before serving, as the sugar can absorb into the rum balls over time.
Recipe Tips
- Use Dark Rum: Dark rum is the best choice because it has a rich flavor that goes well with chocolate and nuts. It makes the rum balls taste better.
- Grind Ingredients Well: Make sure to grind the vanilla wafers and pecans very fine. This helps mix everything evenly and makes the rum balls smooth.
- Refrigerate Before Serving: Put the rum balls in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This makes them firm and improves their taste.
- Make Ahead: You can make rum balls a few days before you need them. Keep them in a tight container in the fridge. If you roll them in powdered sugar, you might need to do it again before serving to make them look fresh.
- Toast and Store Nuts: Toast the pecans to bring out their flavor. After they cool down, you can store them in a freezer bag in the freezer. This saves time and they’re ready to use when you need them for recipes.
What To Serve With Rum Balls
Rum Balls go great with drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and sweet wines. You can also serve them with fruits, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup for a sweet treat.
How To Store Rum Balls
- In the Fridge: Arrange the rum balls on a tray or in a container without letting them touch each other. Cover with plastic wrap or seal the container. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- In the Freezer: To keep them longer, freeze the rum balls. Place them spaced apart on a tray in the freezer. Once they are solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Pioneer Woman Rum Balls Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 36 servings
- Calories: 85
- Total Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 8 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
- Sodium: 46 mg
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Drink Instead Of Rum?
Yes, you can use other drinks like bourbon, brandy, or non-alcoholic options like rum flavoring with water or grape juice. They will change the taste a bit but still be delicious.
What If I Don’t Have A Machine To Crush The Cookies And Nuts?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can put the vanilla wafers and pecans in a sturdy plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Make sure they are very finely crushed to ensure your rum balls hold together well.
How Can I Make All The Rum Balls The Same Size?
Use a spoon or a small scoop to take the same amount of mix each time. This helps make all the rum balls look the same.
Why Do My Rum Balls Fall Apart When I Try To Roll Them?
If the mixture is too crumbly, it may need a bit more moisture. You can add a small amount of rum or honey, a teaspoon at a time, until the mixture holds together better when rolled.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Red Velvet Cake Balls
- Pioneer Woman Protein Balls
- Pioneer Woman Popcorn Balls
- Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls
Pioneer Woman Rum Balls
Description
Pioneer Woman Rum Balls are made with crushed vanilla cookies, toasted chopped pecans, sugar, chocolate powder, salt, dark rum, honey, and vanilla. This easy Rum Balls recipe creates a tasty dessert that takes about 30 minutes to make and serves 36 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a food processor, finely grind the vanilla wafers and pecans until well combined, about 15 seconds. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Pulse about 5 times until the mixture is evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the dark rum, honey, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
- Form and Coat the Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture and roll it into 1-inch balls between your palms. Place each desired topping in a separate small bowl. Roll the balls in your chosen topping until thoroughly coated, then arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the rum balls until ready to serve, up to 5 days. If you’ve used powdered sugar for coating, you might need to toss them again in sugar before serving, as the sugar can absorb into the rum balls over time.
Notes
- Use Dark Rum: Dark rum is the best choice because it has a rich flavor that goes well with chocolate and nuts. It makes the rum balls taste better.
- Grind Ingredients Well: Make sure to grind the vanilla wafers and pecans very fine. This helps mix everything evenly and makes the rum balls smooth.
- Refrigerate Before Serving: Put the rum balls in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This makes them firm and improves their taste.
- Make Ahead: You can make rum balls a few days before you need them. Keep them in a tight container in the fridge. If you roll them in powdered sugar, you might need to do it again before serving to make them look fresh.
- Toast and Store Nuts: Toast the pecans to bring out their flavor. After they cool down, you can store them in a freezer bag in the freezer. This saves time and they’re ready to use when you need them for recipes.
