Inspired by the memory of my grandmother’s bourbon balls, my mom and I decided to return them to the Christmas menu this year after a decade long hiatus. We pulled out Grandma’s old recipe card (barely legible in her formal, but lovely antiquated script) and quickly shifted gears to the rum version as neither of us are big bourbon fans (and thus there wasn’t any bourbon in the house).
This is a simple recipe, but it is surprisingly time consuming to make all the balls. However, it is worth the effort as these are quite good and the perfect treat for Christmas Eve. Santa, can I get an amen?
Grandma’s Rum Balls
Adapted from Grandma’s recipe, originally adapted from Joy of Cooking
2 c finely crushed vanilla wafers
2 T dark cocoa powder
1 c sifted powdered sugar
1 c walnuts, finely chopped in food processor (should be all crumbs)
3 T honey
1/2 c dark rum
Additional powdered sugar for coating the balls
Mix the first four ingredients well. Add honey and rum and mix until moist throughout. Use your hands to form quarter size balls and roll through powdered sugar. Place on plate or in tin. Repeat process until you use all of the dough. Serve immediately or seal in airtight container. If serving several days later, roll through powdered sugar again as the sugar will have been absorbed.
Makes approximately 3 dozen balls which keep for about a week.