Holiday Maraschino Cherry Rum Balls Recipe
These Cherry Rum Balls are a quick and easy no-bake treat combining the rich flavors of semi-sweet chocolate, rum, and maraschino cherries with crunchy pecans and graham cracker crumbs. Perfect for festive occasions like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, parties, and gatherings, these charming little balls can be prepared ahead of time, making holiday dessert planning stress-free and delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture
- 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup rum
Dry Ingredients
- 2/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided
Garnish
- 12 maraschino cherries, halved
Instructions
- Melt the Chocolate: Use a double boiler by filling a pot with water and bringing it to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat to low, place a glass bowl with chopped chocolate over the pot, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water. Stir gently with a spatula until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine Chocolate with Syrup and Rum: Add the light corn syrup and rum to the melted chocolate and stir well to combine all the ingredients into a uniform mixture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, ensuring even distribution of nuts and crumbs.
- Combine All Mixtures: Pour the rum-chocolate mixture over the graham cracker and pecan mix. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well blended and sticky enough to hold shape.
- Form and Coat Balls: Use your hands to form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the remaining powdered sugar to coat completely.
- Add Cherry Topping: Press your thumb gently into the center of each ball to create an indentation, then place half a maraschino cherry into each indentation for garnish and a burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate for a richer taste and smoother texture.
- Finely chop the pecans to ensure the rum balls have a consistent, smooth texture.
- Dry maraschino cherries thoroughly on paper towels after removing from syrup to help them adhere better and avoid excess moisture.
- Store completed rum balls in an airtight container for up to 10 days to maintain freshness.
- Prepare these balls a few days ahead of serving to allow flavors to meld and improve the overall taste experience.
