Dessert,  Gluten-free

Naughty and Nice Rum Balls

These little rum balls rock! They totally satisfy my naughty self with a good dose of rum and satisfy my nice self, or should I say, lessen my guilty naughty self, with healthy ingredients. I have made rum balls in the past using lots of confectioners sugar, crushed gingersnap cookie crumbs, corn syrup…need I say more? They definitely tasted good and of course, the holidays do allow for a bit more splurging, but really, I can love these so much more!

I used a mix of Medjool dates, raisins, walnuts, almonds and dark cocoa powder. No additional sugar was necessary as Medjool dates do have a significant amount of fruit sugar. In addition, these little dates pack a lot of healthy benefits along with fiber. A perfect little dessert bite! I rolled some of the balls in cocoa powder and sprinkled on confectioners sugar just before serving for a pretty presentation!

Naughty and Nice Rum Balls

1 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates

1/4 cup raisins

3 tablespoons unsweetened dark cocoa powder

½ cup walnuts

½ cup pecans

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 cup rum

Process all except rum until a thick paste begins to form. Pour in the rum and continue to process until combined well. Roll into preferred sized rum balls, approximately 1 teaspoon and place each ball in a paper cup. I rolled some of the balls in cocoa powder which helped with the stickiness. Store tightly covered and allow to sit at least 24 hours to enhance the flavor. They won’t last long! Coconut would also be a good addition!

 

I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.

One Comment

Leave a Reply to Gina! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *