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    Home » Recipes » Candy

    How to Make Easy Homemade Rum Truffles

    Published: Oct 9, 2019 · Modified: Sep 2, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments Jump To Video

    You only need 4 ingredients to make these easy boozy truffles. This homemade rum truffle recipe is easy and even fun to make. Making these Christmas truffles is one of my holiday traditions.

    holiday rum truffles in a bowl with one sitting on the table

    Making these easy boozy truffles at home

    You only 4 ingredients for these super easy chocolate truffles:

    1. Chocolate
    2. Heavy Cream
    3. Booze
    4. Decorations

    Christmas truffles are a holiday tradition

    But you don't need to save this recipe for your holiday baking. Homemade chocolate truffles are perfect for any occasion, and you can get creative with different fillings and decorations.

    christmas truffles on white napkin

    What are truffles?

    Technically, these are "truffles" because the chocolate ganache rum balls are dipped in melted chocolate after they are chilled.  

    I know once you give this recipe a try, you will wonder why you haven't tried to make them before. When you think about how much a standard box of gourmet chocolates costs, you will kick yourself for not making these sooner. (I even have the microwave instructions in the recipe.)

    How to make rum truffles

    1. Start by making a rich and creamy chocolate rum filling. 
    2. Let the filling chill. 
    3. Scoop with a small #60 cookie scoop.
    4. Roll and then refrigerate for a few hours. 
    5. Dunk in melted chocolate. 
    6. Let the chocolate outside set. 
    7. Decorate with gold dust, or sprinkles, or toss in dark cocoa powder. 
    a handful of boozy rum truffles, one has a bite taken out

    Variations

    The rum chocolate recipe can be modified to use your favorite liquor.

    A few of my favorite boozy truffles are: 

    • Bourbon — Check out my favorite Bourbon HERE!
    • Grand Marnier — Orange Liqueur
    • St. George —  Nola Coffee Liqueur
    • Luxardo Cherry — Cherry Liqueur
    • Red Wine - I used red from MJA Vineyards called French Kiss.

    You can also modify the rum chocolate to be booze-free.

    Just use food-grade extracts in place of the liqueur. LorAnn oils makes a variety of bakery oil and other harder-to-find baking ingredients. I have their website saved in my favorites.

    You can find a variety pack of mini oils on Amazon if you can't commit to just one flavor.

    • Coconut Flavor
    • Orange Flavor
    • Coffee Flavor
    • Peppermint Flavor
    • Rum Flavor
    decorated homemade chocolate truffles on a plate

    The best part of making homemade chocolate rum balls is decorating them. 

    I love fun decorations that make me look like a pro. It’s a little known secret that I am horrible at decorating. I’m pretty good at faking it when I have to. I like to keep my rum truffles sophisticated and straightforward by using a few go-to decorations that require absolutely no decorating skills.  

    Drizzled chocolate

    The easiest decoration is just drizzling melted chocolate on top of each rum truffle ball. You can use dark chocolate or white chocolate in its natural state or colored white chocolate. 

    Cocoa Powder

    For a simpler finish, drop the rum balls into a bowl of cocoa powder. You don't even have to dunk them in the melted chocolate first.

    Sprinkles

    Who doesn’t love sprinkles? If you are looking for some high-end spectacular sprinkle choices, check out Sprinkle Pop. 

    Decorate the truffles with the sprinkles before the chocolate has completely set.  This will ensure that the sprinkles stick on the chocolate shell as it sets.

    Metallic food-grade dust

    If you want truffles with edible blingedible glitter or metallic foils are the way to go. 

    Using a small craft paintbrush, you can pick up a little gold dust with the tip and then tap the brush lightly to release the powder onto the chocolate. Check out Global Sugar Art and get some inspiration for your bling.

    Amazon also has a million options.

    Whatever you decide to use, keep it simple these chocolate truffles will look homemade, and that’s okay because handmade gifts are the best. 

    Nothing says I love you more than a gift of homemade rum truffles.

    If you are so inclined, make a few different varieties and decorate them differently, so you know what is inside. 

    You can make a few batches with different spirits, and then give out sampler boxes as hostess gifts. Gift boxes are readily available at your local craft stores. Or order them here. And don't forget to pick up those cute little paper cups.

    More homemade candy recipes

    • Butter Toffee
    • Vegan Rocky Road Fudge
    • Chocolate Almond Bark
    • Coconut Mounds Candies

    The butter toffee is beautiful and delicious.

    You can make it topped with roasted and chopped nuts or merely top it with a little craft salt. I love making a big batch of this and then eating it on top of ice cream. I have also chopped this toffee up and added it to a cookie dough along with chocolate chips for an extra special batch of chocolate chip cookies.

    My post will show you how to make toffee. After you read it, you will be ready to tackle candy-making. If you can read a thermometer, you can make this toffee. Check out the recipe here.

    Homemade butter toffee makes a delicious and impressive gift.

    Crunchy Chocolatey Buttery Toffee on a silpat before breaking it into toffee bits.

    Vegan Rocky Road Fudge.

    This recipe takes 5 minutes to make in the microwave. I don't tell anyone that I make this in the microwave. I mean seriously, it's so easy.

    Best of all, it doesn't look or taste like you only spent 5 minutes! It is DELICIOUS!

    The other great thing about this vegan fudge is that you can make it rocky road style, or you can drop in almost any variety of mix-ins that your imagination can conjure up. Check out the FULL POST HERE!

    Dairy Free Rocky Road Fudge Recipe
    Dairy-Free Rocky Road Fudge

    Then there is the Dark Chocolate Almond Bark

    Almond bark is naturally dairy-free. It is also super flexible because you can mix-in almost any type of dried fruit and nuts.

    Dark Chocolate Salted Almond Bark

    If you are looking for MORE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS check out this post on 10 edible homemade gifts. 

    Coconut Truffles

    These super easy 3 ingredients coconut candies are like mini mounds candy bars.

    Nothing could be easier!

    Mounds ball, homemade candy recipe.

    Other Sweets That You Might Like

    • Fleur de Sel Chocolate Chunk Cookies
    • Milk Bar's Compost Cookies
    • Pecan Shortbread
    • The Best Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies
    • Easy Mocha Mix - For Mochas and Hot Chocolate
    • How to Make Butter Toffee
    • 25 Valentines Day Candy Ideas

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    bowl of rum truffles
    Favorite Saved!

    Chocolate Rum Truffles

    Laura Reigel
    Delicious, rich chocolate rum truffles. Make them with rum or another one of your favorite spirits. 
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 40 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Candy, Holiday
    Servings 36 truffles
    Calories 198 kcal

    Equipment

    • cookie scoops
    • paper candy cups
    • candy gift boxes
    • sprinkles
    • gold dust
    • flavoring extracts

    Ingredients
      

    Center

    • 16 ounces finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips Recommended: Guittard 70% cocoa
    • 1 cup heavy cream

    Optional Flavorings (See notes for options)

    • 3 tablespoon good quality rum or another spirit like bourbon or Bailey's

    Coating

    • 23 ounces finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Place 16 ounces of chocolate in a large glass bowl.
    • Heat the cream in a saucepan to 90 to 110℉. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes, begin to whisk.
    • Whisk until the chocolate is melted and shiny. (If chocolate doesn't melt completely it can be microwaved for 30 seconds at a time or placed over a double boiler until melted.)
    • Add the rum (or another optional flavoring) and stir until everything is well-combined.
    • Pour the chocolate onto 9" x 13" baking pan. (Can be lined with parchment or plastic wrap.) Refrigerate for about 60 minutes, until the mixture is thick and "scoopable."
    • When the mixture is cool enough to hold its shape, scoop small balls of the chocolate onto a baking sheet that's been lined with parchment paper. For perfectly round truffles, quickly roll each one between the palms of your hands. You have to do this quickly, or the chocolate will become too soft.
    • Cover the truffles with plastic wrap and freeze the rolled balls for about 60 minutes, until they are firm and very cold.
    • Heat the 23 ounces of chocolate over a double boiler until melted and smooth. See notes for microwave directions.
    • Remove frozen chocolate centers from the freezer. Drop into melted chocolate one by one. Make sure each one is evenly coated.
    • Using a fork or chocolate dipping tool, remove and place on parchment paper. Cool completely.
    • Optional: as you make them, sprinkle each truffle with the decoration of your choice. (chopped nuts, toffee, jimmies, sprinkles, or gold dust)

    Video

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    Alternate Flavors: You can use different flavorings for the centers, but you should use no more than 3 tablespoon of liquid. When using extracts use only ½ tablespoon at the most, some flavorings are stronger than others. LorAnn extracts are very concentrated so you will need less. Test the flavor before adding more extract. 
    Some suggestions:
    • ½ tablespoon of raspberry flavoring + 2 ½ tablespoon raspberry jam
    • ½ tablespoon orange oil + 2 ½ tablespoon orange liqueur like Curaçao
    • 3 tablespoon of really strong espresso
    Vegan Adaptable: Use full-fat coconut milk in place of cream.
    Microwave Directions for Melting Chocolate:  Alternatively, microwave chocolate for 30 seconds at a time until thoroughly melted. Reheat if the chocolate starts to get warm. I prefer using the double-boiler method just because it allows the chocolate to stay at a more consistent temperature instead of having to reheat it if you aren't working fast enough. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 24mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gCalcium: 68mgIron: 1.7mg
    Keyword chocolate, gifts, truffles, valentines day
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

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    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

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