Southerners are the best Christmas candy makers. When the days get colder, candy thermometers come out and the sweet world of holiday sweets comes to life. You might think that traditional southern candies like divinities, pralines, and fudge would take the top spot on the list of popular Christmas candies, but the most searched southern Christmas candies are decidedly more decadent. You may be surprised to find out that it is. It’s a rum ball.
Honestly, that’s not a surprise. When I was a child, there was a particularly kind and helpful woman in our church who made us rum balls. And she always let me have one or two. Kay Schlomer’s Rum Balls are sweet, bite-sized, and a little naughty, making them a hit at holiday parties and potlucks.
Why Southerners Love Rum Ball
Unlike complicated recipes that require special equipment like a candy thermometer or are chained to the stove to ensure perfection, rum balls are super easy to prepare. In fact, it’s so easy that you don’t even need to prepare it. Simply mix the ingredients together, roll the mixture into balls, and coat with whatever you like.
This recipe uses a food processor to crush the cookies and finely chop the pecans, but you can easily crush the cookies by placing them in a Ziploc bag and pounding them with a rolling pin.
Can you make rum balls without alcohol?
Whether you’re an adult who doesn’t drink rum or a respectful kid who shouldn’t, everyone can enjoy a rum ball. Recreate the classic rum ball flavor by substituting an equal amount of apple cider and 2 teaspoons of rum or vanilla extract for the alcohol.
Can you get drunk if you eat rum balls?
Technically speaking, yes, if you were eating it like you were trying to win gold in a national hot dog eating contest. Before you can chug a ball of rum and make a sound, there’s a good chance you’ll have a stomach ache. There are many other delicious desserts, especially for Southern holidays, so it is better to limit the portions.