This Rum Balls Recipe uses good ol' Aussie Weetbix as a base ingredient. I researched several old-fashioned recipes to come up with a recipe that delivers perfectly soft and delicious balls of rum bliss. So, ready to Rum Ball?
Rum Balls have been a part of Christmas for as far back as I can remember. They're so simple to prepare and are perfect to prepare ahead – they'll keep for several weeks in the fridge and can also be frozen for several months.
(Also, if you don't have weetbix in your country (or cupboard), don't fear. You can use 140 grams of a wheat breakfast cereal instead of Weetbix.)
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An Aussie Christmas tradition
It shouldn't be too surprising that we Aussies love a little rum. Our first permanent hospital was financed thanks to a 45,000 gallon rum deal!
And in 1808, Governor William Bligh tried to regulate the colonial trade of spirits and was overthrown from government by the military – in an event now described as the "Rum Rebellion".
From time to time there is another type of rum rebellion – with the major supermarkets quietly ditching this classic Christmas ball due to "changing consumer preferences".
Well, my preferences haven't changed. I love rum balls. Are you with me?
The recipe
I searched old newspapers, Nana Ling's handwritten recipe books, old home cooking supplements and vintage recipe books to find the perfect rum balls recipe. But I wasn't quite satisfied with any I came across.
I turned to my mum and she shared some recipes she'd collected during her time working in bakeries. Still, not quite what I was looking for.
So, armed with plenty of other recipes, I set about creating my very own.
The weetbix recipes are often criticised for being on the dry side, so I wanted to avoid that problem and now I had a plan – and a couple of extra little ingredients – to do just that.
This recipe is a mash-up of old rum balls recipes. I've borrowed from here and there to create a perfect rum balls – with weetbix – recipe.
Ingredient notes
You'll need these ingredients to make rum balls:
- weetbix (or another wheat breakfast cereal)
- rum
- desiccated coconut
- cocoa powder
- dried diced apricot
- strawberry or raspberry jam (adds that moistness that you may think is not achievable using weetbix)
- sweetened condensed milk.
Keep scrolling for the recipe card at the bottom of this post to find the precise quantities for the ingredients.
Variations ideas
While I think this is the perfect recipe, here are a few ideas to mix things up:
- add glace cherries or dried diced cranberries instead of dried apricots
- add orange marmalade instead of strawberry or raspberry jam
- add some chopped almonds or hazelnuts to the mix
- add a little cinnamon or cardamon in with the cocoa powder.
How to make Rum Balls
Making this recipe is a fun and straightforward process.
First, you get your hands into crushing mode! Make sure your Weetbix or other cereal resembles fine crumbs. You could also use a rolling pin or food processor – but it's just as easy to crush them up with your hands.
Place the weetbix crumbs into a large bowl and then sprinkle over the rum.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix away.
Now, get ready to roll. Your small balls of rum bliss should be rolled again and coated in coconut. Place your rum balls on a tray lined with baking paper and place in fridge for at least a couple of hours to set.
Want to keep rolling?
Let's go! Check out my recipes for Tim Tam Balls, Fruit Salad Balls, Pineapple Balls, Apricot Balls, Midori Balls, Christmas Balls and Snowballs.
Recipe FAQs
In an airtight container in the fridge. They'll last a couple of weeks (if you can resist eating them sooner!)
Either easy is fine. I prefer taking them out of the fridge an hour or so before serving and enjoying them at room temperature.
Yes, you can freeze rum balls for up to a couple of months. Place in a freezer bag or airtight container before freezing.
I've never heard of anyone getting drunk on rum, though I do know someone who was overcome by fumes when making rum balls (Hi, Mum!).
I guess it really depends also on how many you eat! There would be 1-2 ml of rum in each rum ball if you use this recipe. That doesn't sound like the stuff that creates hangovers. Keep in mind though, that roadside alcohol breath tests will likely pick up even small traces of alcohol.
You could also use Bourbon, Brandy, Port or any other spirit that you enjoy.
If you have rum extract, use 1 tablespoon mixed with 1 tablespoon of fruit juice. If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, almond or vanilla extract would work well. Use 1 tablespoon mixed with 1 tablespoon of fruit juice.
Looking for more Christmas treats?
Enjoy more festive favourites with these recipes:
Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)
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Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 8 weetbix (use 140 grams of a wheat breakfast cereal if you don't have weetbix in your country)
- 2 tablespoons rum
- ¾ cup desiccated coconut
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- ¼ cup dried diced apricot
- 1 tablespoon strawberry or raspberry jam
- 395 grams condensed milk (1 tin)
- ¾ cup desiccated coconut (additional for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon cocoa optional (additional for dusting)
Instructions
- Crush weetbix to a fine consistency.
- Sprinkle rum over weetbix.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Roll into small balls and coat by rolling in additional coconut.
- Place balls on a tray lined with baking paper and place in fridge for at least a couple of hours to set.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
- Serve dusted with cocoa (optional).
Denis Laherty says
Bundaberg O.P iswithout peer for rum balls. Also, a little instant coffee improves the flavour.
Libby Hakim says
Sounds good!
Gavin says
Hi Libby, I love the weetbix base as well. Adding different "flavours" is only limited to the imagination. I have found that Jack Daniels in the weetbix base has an amazing effect on the pallette. Also, Baileys, Butterscotch schnapps, as well as combined. Kaluha. Tia Maria. Malibu. 43, is like a vanilla liqour. Just to name a few. Also a tablespoon in just shy of a nip if you prefer to pour a bit easier. and double also gives the balls a nice little "kick".
Thanks for sharing your recepie.
Libby Hakim says
Hi Gavin. Loving all these ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mary-lou says
I was thinking of substituting the apricot for glazed cherries. Have you tried that
Libby Hakim says
Hi Mary-lou - I haven't tried that myself but I think it would work fine. Happy cooking!
Suellyn Bell says
These little balls of deliciousness are so easy to make. I was unsure of making them with weetbix instead of cake, but honestly would not make them now any other way. I was going to freeze a batch for Christmas, but they didn't say around that long so off to make more!
Lyn says
Great Recipe!! Super easy and yum!! Thank you
Libby says
Awesome - thanks for the great feedback Lyn. Enjoy! x
Nick Hamilton says
Can you freeze the rum balls ??
Libby says
Hi Nick. Yes they freeze well in an airtight container. I wouldn't freeze for more than a couple of months though. Enjoy!
Rose Wilkinson says
Great recipe. Two spelling mistakes though. It's desiccated coconut; & sprinkle the rum not spinkle. 😉
Libby says
Thanks, Rose, glad you like the recipe. You will find the occasional typo here because I have limited time to devote to the blog. I've fixed these two. Thanks for pointing them out 🙂
Denise says
I make a similar recipe for rum balls but use a packet of arnotts ginger nut biscuits crushed instead of weetabix
Libby says
Hi Denise. Oooh, yum, I like the sound of that too. I'll have to test it out next time. Thanks for sharing! Libby
Helen says
Hi Libby, I've never heard of using Widgetbox in rum balls. We always use crushed Marie biscuits but I'll give it a go.
Libby says
Hi Denise - yes, I've always loved using Weetbix but there are plenty of other lovely variations too. Hope you enjoy this one! Happy cooking 🙂