Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (2024)

By Alisa Fleming on Dairy Free Desserts, Dairy-Free Recipes

This simple recipe for vegan gingersnap rum balls is from Vegan Unplugged, a pantry cuisine cookbook and survival guide written by John Robertson. This emergency collection includes dozens of delicious recipes that can be prepared in minutes, even when the refrigerator is bare. It’s a treasure for those days when your resources are limited or your motivation to cook is waning. We originally shared his recipe about a decade ago, but this seemed like a good time for a big update, and to move it into our recipe section.

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (1)

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls are Super Easy Unplugged Sweets

The following back story for this recipe was written by Jon and shared with us.

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (2)Desserts are the ultimate comfort food, in my estimation. They can be downright therapeutic, too, especially after a stressful day. As for myself, not having something sweet when I want it can actually be a source of stress.

I know what you’re thinking: since I’m married to Robin Robertson, surely my home must be filled with amazing desserts. But the terrible truth is my wife doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth. So when I want an impromptu dessert, I often have to make it myself.

That’s why the easy dessert recipes in Vegan Unplugged allow even a kitchen klutz like me to make quick-and-yummy desserts with on-hand pantry ingredients. These vegan gingersnap rum balls are a good example, and I particularly enjoy them in the fall and winter. Developed for emergencies when the power goes out, you can make them anytime at all.

The best thing about this recipe, next to sneaking tastes of the rum, is that they require no cooking and keep well at room temperature. In fact, they benefit from sitting out at room temperature as the flavors get richer. You can make them without rum, too. For a non-alcoholic and child-friendly version, substitute apple juice for the rum.

Jon does include an alcohol-free option for the recipe, but if you still want to add some rum flavor, you can add a little rum extract, to taste.

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (3)

Special Diet Notes: Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (4)

Print

If you’re “unplugged” (or don’t have a food processor), you can crush the gingersnaps and walnuts by enclosing them in a plastic bag and gently rolling over them several times with a rolling pin or wine bottle. If you’re not a fan of gingersnaps, substitute vanilla wafers. (Please note that the Prep time s hands-on time only. This is a make-ahead recipe.)

Author: Jon Robertson

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Danish

Serves: 18 rum balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely crushed vegan gingersnap crumbs (can sub gluten-free, if needed)
  • ¼ cup finely crushed walnuts
  • ½ cup plus ¼ cup powdered confectioners’ sugar, divided
  • 2 tablespoons dark rum (can sub apple juice for alcohol-free)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

  1. If the power’s on: Use a food processor to process the gingersnaps and walnuts until finely ground. Then add the ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, rum, and maple syrup and process until well mixed.
  2. If you’re unplugged: Combine the crushed cookie crumbs and walnuts in a bowl with ½ cup of the confectioners' sugar, rum, and maple syrup. Mix thoroughly until the mixture holds together.
  3. To assemble: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the remaining ¼ cup of confectioners' sugar and arrange them on a plate.
  4. Cover the gingersnap rum balls with plastic film wrap and let them sit for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop. If using an alcohol-free version, it’s best to refrigerate them.

Notes

This recipe is reprinted with permissions from Vegan Unplugged: A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide by Jon Robertson.

More Easy Vegan Treats

Dairy-Free Peppermint Fudge Bites

Holiday Sandwich Cookies with Various Filling Flavors

Dairy-Free Cheesecake Dip

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (8)

Alisa Fleming

  • Website

Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls Recipe (Easy Pantry Treat) (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for vanilla wafers in rum balls? ›

While vanilla wafers are my favorite for their subtle sweetness and vanilla notes, graham crackers, butter cookies, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies are all excellent substitutes. For a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free cookies.

What are rum balls made of? ›

Rum balls are bite-size homemade treats made with vanilla cookie crumbs, pecans, cocoa, confectioners' sugar, and spiced rum. These do taste like spiced rum, so keep that in mind. Although if rum isn't your favorite, you could try making them with bourbon instead.

Are rum balls alcoholic? ›

Do rum balls have alcohol in them? Yes, rum is added to the mixture, which is how they get the name! Because rum balls are not baked, the alcohol in the rum does not cook out. But they are not overly boozy since there is a small amount in each ball.

What is a non alcoholic substitute for rum in desserts? ›

Rum – If you're preparing tropical desserts like our Banana Rum Cupcakes and Cuban Rum Cake but don't have rum, use rum extract or reach for the pineapple juice. Use the same amount of pineapple juice as the recipe calls for rum as an alcohol substitute.

Are Nilla Wafers the same as vanilla wafers? ›

By the 1940s, Vanilla Wafers had become a major ingredient in the Southern cuisine staple banana pudding, and Nabisco began printing a banana pudding recipe on the Vanilla Wafers box. The name of the product was not changed to "Nilla Wafers" until 1967.

Are rum balls safe for kids? ›

small, soft, delicious bite-size chocolate rum balls

feel free to use coconut oil or butter in this recipe. you can easily substitute the rum with water or milk and make them appropriate for kids, pregnant ladies, or those who don't drink alcohol in general.

What is the difference between a rum ball and a brigadeiro? ›

Rum balls closely resemble brigadeiros, a Brazilian sweet; however, brigadeiros are made from condensed milk. The world's largest rum ball was created in Mejdal, Denmark on 11 June 2017, weighing 31 kg (68 lb).

How long will rum balls keep in the fridge? ›

Store rum balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months and allow to come to room temperature before eating.

Why do my rum balls go flat? ›

Mixture should be very thick. At this stage it may be a little too soft or sticky because of our summer heat; so just pop in the fridge for a bit to prevent totally flat bottomed balls. Then take spoonfuls of the mixture and make your balls by rolling between your palms then roll in coconut.

Do rum balls contain egg? ›

In bowl mix together walnuts, sweet chocolate, sugar and half the egg whites. Add enough rum to moisten mixture so it holds together to form dough. Shape mixture into 1" balls. Roll balls in remaining egg white, then in chocolate sprinkles.

How long can you keep rum balls for? ›

Step 2 -Spread coconut out on a shallow plate. Shape the mixture into walnut sized balls. Roll in the coconut and place on a plate and serve with tea or coffee. These can also keep in the fridge in an airtight container or in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

What is a substitute for Nilla Wafers? ›

  • If you're using them as a cookie any small sugar or butter cookie will suffice.
  • OR - Replace vanilla (Nilla) wafers with shortbread cookies.
  • OR - For making a pie or dessert crust you can substitute graham cracker crumbs.
  • OR - Chocolate wafers, crushed make a good pie crust.
Mar 3, 2022

Can rum replace vanilla? ›

You will be surprised to know that your good, old vanilla extract also contains alcohol. So, why not use rum instead of vanilla to give your bake a little bit of twist? Alcohol such as brandy, and bourbon also work great as a replacement for vanilla.

Can I substitute vanilla for rum in baking? ›

Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is a type of flavoring that is made from vanilla beans. It has a sweet, fragrant flavor that is similar to rum. When using vanilla extract as a substitute for rum, you can use a little less than the recipe calls for, as vanilla extract is very strong in flavor.

Can I substitute rum for vanilla in recipe? ›

Spirits such as bourbon, brandy, rum, and vanilla liqueur can mimic the rich, caramelly taste of vanilla extract. Use 2 tsp of alcohol to replace 1 tsp of vanilla extract.

References

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