Healthier Holiday Rum Balls
One of our long-standing Christmas traditions is making rum balls
together. My daughter and I spend a day at my mom's house preparing
these small yet power-packed seasonal treats. I recently changed the
recipe a bit to introduce healthier options to creating a tried and true
favorite!
3 cups of gluten-free (chemical-free) animal cookies or grahams (or combo of both is good)
1 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans
3 TBSP. honey
2 1/3 TBSP. unsweetened 100% powdered cocoa (I use Ghiradelli)
1 1/2 cups of "Spectrum Decadent Blend" (available at Whole Foods, Mother's or other more natural grocers)
1/2-3/4 cups of unsweetened, reduced fat, 100% organic grated coconut
3/4 cups of Myer's Dark Rum
1/4 cup organic powdered sugar
Pulse all the cookies until they are finely blended into a mix that
looks a bit more course than flour. Place in a medium bowl and add the
cocoa, a cup of the nuts, all but 1/4 c. of the coconut, honey, and
Spectrum mix. Blend all dry ingredients until it is free of lumps. Mix
in the honey and then slowly mix in the rum, making sure the
consistency is just right. Blend thoroughly then cover and place in the
refrigerator for about 45 mins. (you don't have to refrigerate first
but it makes the rolling easier and less sticky) **Note: the mixture
should neither be too runny or too dry. You might have to experiment
with how much rum you add so go slow. If it does get too "wet" you can
add some cocoa or any of the other dry ingredients before you
refrigerate.
In a large ziplock bag add the rest of the coconut and the pecans. Add
the powdered sugar. Lock the bag and shake all ingredients together.
Take the rum mixture out of the refrigerator and begin to roll small,
individual, bite-size balls, placing them one by one into the ziplock
and gently shaking them up, making sure they are completely covered with
the dry mix. Take the balls out one by one and place in small, wax
paper lined cookie tins. (I don't like to layer them because they lose
their shape)
These make nice, yummy gifts and they are so easy to make! Put a bow on
your tin and deliver to your favorite people. Warning: don't let
under-age people get a hold of them. Also, since the rum is not
cooked-off they can be slightly intoxicating if you eat too many.
