How to make rumballs

Chocolate and rum cookies are easy to make.

Rumballs are chocolate cookies with a rum flavor. You can make them using only a microwave and a few common ingredients. They may serve as a holiday or hostess gift. Rumballs don't spoil quickly, they ship well and are great fun at parties.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave safe mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup rum
• 2 and 1/2 cup finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies (1 box)
• Air-tight container

Instructions

Basic Recipe

1. Put the chocolate chips, the sugar and the light corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for one minute intervals until the chocolate begins to melt.

   Microwave ovens vary in intensity. Do not overcook or the chocolate will "seize," or stiffen, and become impossible to work with.

2. Immediately mix thoroughly. The corn syrup will keep the hot chocolate chips from seizing. Don't wait to blend them together.

3. Add rum and cookie crumbs and blend well.

4. Allow to cool slightly, then scoop out spoonfuls and roll them between your palms to form balls.

5. Allow to "ripen" in an air-tight container for several days.

Variations on the Theme

1. You may use many other liquors in place of the rum, like bourbon, Grand Mariner (orange), Chambord (raspberry), Creme de Menthe (mint), Amoretto (almond), Kahluha (coffee), or Drambui.

2. You may replace the crushed vanilla wafers with coconut, almond flour, or chestnut flour.

3. The chocolate chips may be replaced with white chocolate chips.

4. You may add a tablespoon of cinnamon or chili powder to the basic mix.

5. To make non-alcoholic cookies, substitute the alcohol with flavored syrup or fruit juice.

Tips & Warnings

• Crush the vanilla wafers by folding them in a clean pillow case and dancing on them until they become crumbs. Crush any remaining bits with a rolling pin. Do not use a blender. A food processing machine crushes only a few at a time. If you will be making large batches, a meat grinder works well.

• These cookies contain small amounts of alcohol. Do not share them with alcoholics or minor children. Do not ship to countries where alcoholic beverages are outlawed.