Boozy holiday rum balls
34
- Prep Time40 min
- Total Time40 min
- Makes45 balls
Virginia MacDonald
These liqueur-soaked balls need no baking. Since their flavour improves with time, they're ideal make-aheads for gift giving.
Ingredients
200-g pkg chocolate wafers
1/3 cup irish-cream liqueur
1 tsp instant espresso powder, or coffee granules
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp corn syrup
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted whole almonds
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
Place wafers in a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. They should measure about 2½ cups (625 mL). In a medium bowl, stir liqueur with espresso powder until mixed. Stir in butter, corn syrup, 1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar and crumbs until evenly mixed. Stir in toasted almonds.
Line a tray with waxed paper. Shape mixture into 1-in. (2.5-cm) balls and place on tray. In a small bowl, stir 1 tbsp (15 mL) icing sugar with 1 tbsp (15 mL) cocoa. Roll balls in sugar mixture until coated. Store in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Refrigerate at least overnight or up to 2 weeks. Flavour improves as they sit.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories 55, Protein 1g, Carbohydrates 8g, Fat 3g.
Variations
Chocolate-nut Use Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) in place of Irish-cream liqueur. Omit espresso. Use 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped white chocolate and 1/4 cup (50 mL) finely chopped pecans in place of almonds. Roll in 2 tbsp (30 mL) cocoa powder. Omit icing sugar. Makes 45.
Rum and ginger Use about 60 vanilla-flavoured wafers (about 2/3 of a 312-g pkg) in place of chocolate wafers. Omit espresso and butter. Use dark rum in place of Irish-cream liqueur and toasted pecans and 2 tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped candied ginger in place of almonds. Roll in 2 tbsp (30 mL) icing sugar. Omit cocoa. Makes 30.
