Thursday, December 8, 2011

Chocolate Rum Balls

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First, a shout out for my giveaway of 4 Le Creuset Mini Cocottes. If you have not entered, please check this out.

Rum balls may be a popular Christmas confection but to me, they are one of my favourite childhood treats. They used to be the most coveted item in the my childhood neighbourhood bakery. Dense and sweet, rich and chocolatey, they were possibly the closest to a real chocolate truffle I had ever tasted when I was a child.
Strangely though, they are not such a common sight in bakeries anymore. Well, time changes, it is what it is... the younger generation today will probably grow up reminiscing about Barcook's Cranberry Cream Cheese buns and Bakerzin's macarons (?)......

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The traditional rum balls were made with crushed wafer biscuits and nuts but the version I grew up with in Singapore is more cake like and coated with the signature chocolate rice. As I searched through the internet for a recipe, this one, shared by Rima of Bisous A Toi appears to be the closest to what I used to eat as a child.

A no-bake confection, this is totally achievable if you have some left over chocolate cake. I had some left over chocolate pound cake in my fridge and their buttery and rich texture is absolutely perfect for this.
So there you have it, a childhood and festive favourite that can be whipped up easily even by a non-baker. Life seldom comes so easy :)

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Rumball6(250)
Recipe :  (Adapted From Bisous A Toi )

50g           Chopped raisins
60ml         Dark Rum
65g           Desiccated coconut
300g         Chocolate cake crumbs
60ml         Sweetened condense milk
Chocolate rice sprinkles

Method :
1. Place chopped raisins and 1 tbsp dark rum in a small pot and heat gently to simmer.
2. Turn off heat and let raisins macerate for 5 mins.
3. In a mixing bowl, mix together cake crumbs, rest of rum, dessicated coconut, condensed milk and rasins. Mix well until the cake crumbs are combined together.
4. Use a small ice cream scoop, portion out the cake dough, shape and coat with Chocolate rice sprinkles.
5. To store, keep the rum balls in air tight box in the refrigerator.





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26 comments:

  1. Indonesia EatsDecember 9, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    I recalled I first made this when I was still a kid :)

    We used chocolate sweetened condensed milk. Have you tried it yet?

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  2. Shirley @ Kokken69December 9, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    Chocolated sweetened condensed milk? Have never seen that here.... :) Must be good!

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  3. Indonesia EatsDecember 9, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    You can find it here http://www.belanja.com.sg/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,521/category_id,4/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,2/

    However, one time I tried to make it by myself at home.
    http://indonesiaeats.com/chocolate-sweetened-condensed-milk/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shirley @ Kokken69December 9, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Thanks, Peppy!

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  5. RimaDecember 9, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Ty for trying this recipe.. u were right.. u can never find rum balls anymore.. not even in ur local bakery shop

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  6. NereuDecember 9, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    this is very common in Brazil, called "Brigadier" is made ​​with chocolate and condensed milk, but do not contain Rum.
    is mandatory at birthday parties.

    hugs

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  7. Xiaolu @ 6 BittersweetsDecember 9, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    mmmm love the addition of rum =DDD

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  8. JehanpDecember 9, 2011 at 5:16 AM

    Wow three of my favorite things in one dish, coconut, rum and condensed milk! I would love these.

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  9. Yuri - Chef PanditaDecember 9, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Those look good :) I think I've never had or made rum/bourbon balls before!

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  10. pickyin@LifeIsGreatDecember 9, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    I always enjoy reading about your childhood food memories. Considering we both grew up in neighboring countries with similar cultures, I've never eaten a lot of things you did, this one included. As I'm typing this, a jar of dried berries and raisins are soaking in rum at home for a fruit cake - something about spiked sweet things and Christmas, can't avoid it yes?

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  11. ElinDecember 9, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Thanks for sharing this !!! I wanna make this too...just nice for the festive season :) Yummy and I love Rima's blog. She has lots of goodies ! :) and of course I love your blog too. Am a follower of your blog too :)

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  12. VonDecember 9, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I've never had rum balls before :S They're not that popular here and though I've seen them before, I've always thought they were like truffles with rum in them? This sounds really interesting and tasty though! And they remind me of those fererro rocher balls (the ones with the dark brown wrapping)!

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  13. JeannieDecember 9, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Oh these are so delicious! I agreed you do not see these around anymore!

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  14. BigFATcookDecember 9, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Wow!! These just look super cute! I bet they are as tasty as they look:))

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  15. daphneDecember 9, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    That looks sooo good. A bite for each rum ball. I actually like your version with the condense milk and cake crumbs- and it can be even more festive by using christmas cake!

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  16. Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak LoverDecember 9, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I never had this before, but i know this is good, nobody can resist chocolate !

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  17. tigerfishDecember 10, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    I like that you use leftover cake to make this. The raisin and rum in this is genius.

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  18. Sherleen.TDecember 10, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    this is a very good idea to use leftover cake to create another delicious baking...your rum balls look so moist and yummy ^^

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  19. Shu HanDecember 10, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    that's true! i think it'll be macaroons for the younger generation ): i'm glad you decided to revive these! they look delicious!

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  20. Noob CookDecember 13, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    they look so adorable and chocolaty, what a great festive treat.

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  21. pigpigscornerDecember 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I've never had these! But chocolate and condensed milk?! Yes please!

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  22. ShoutforfoodDecember 14, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    that sure looks good.. i love chocolates.

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  23. Aleksandra RybinskaDecember 17, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Wow! what a delicious recipe :) Love it!

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  24. AnonymousDecember 24, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    what dark rum do u use and where to buy it? Merry xmas to u and ur family!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shirley @ Kokken69December 30, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    @Anonymous - Sorry I almost missed your comment... The rum I have been using for all my baking is the Jamaican Myers Rum. Readily available from Changi Airport Duty Free shop :)

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  26. AnonymousApril 25, 2012 at 7:21 AM

    Mmmm.... These look just like some rum balls I had at Rosie's Cafe in Portland, OR in college. I've wanted to find a recipe that matched ever since!

    Once they're cooked, do you know the raisins are there, or do they just sort of blend into the rich cake?

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