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I am constantly amazed at how animated and talkative people get when you mention food. The mere aroma of certain foods can evoke memories that transport us back to a special place and time. Food can bridge the gap between all ages, races and ethnicities.
Let's face it, the only thing that should ever come between people is a table and some serving bowls.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

She's Got A Lot of Balls!

The first time I ever got tipsy I was the ripe old age of four. When I was little we would stop and visit friends and family during the day on Christmas Eve to spread and share some holiday cheer.
Apparently as it has been told to me over and over again throughout my life at one of the houses we went to I got into a batch of rum balls. I did not know that’s what they were; to me they were chocolate candy and very good chocolate candy at that. Everyone was so busy chatting that they did not notice this four year old covered in chocolate swaying and silly in the corner. I guess I had eaten quite a few and she had made them exceptionally strong not intending for a child to eat them. I slept very well that evening and well into early afternoon on Christmas Day. My families lecture about the effects of alcohol and eating so much candy ended in laughter. You see in order to explain why I had eaten so many I innocently said; “Because that lady had a lot of balls”!

Rum Balls

2 boxes (12 oz ea.) vanilla wafers, crushed
2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
2/3 cup light or dark rum (also great with bourbon or other spirit of your choosing)
2 cups light or dark corn syrup

Cocoa powder, powdered sugar, shredded coconut or jimmies for coating
Stir vanilla wafer crumbs, nuts, confectioner’s sugar and unsweetened cocoa. Stir in light or dark rum, corn syrup and citrons (optional) until well blended. Shape into 1 inch balls.
Roll in coating of your choice, makes 8-9 dozen.

12 comments:

Gretchen Noelle said...

You beat me too it! These are what I fondly remember about the holiday season as a kid!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Oh, Julie, I laughed so hard my that boss heard me. :)
Love the story - and the rum balls sound delicious, too!

Julie said...

Patricia, I'm sure your boss would get a chuckle out of the story as well.

Julie said...

Gretchen, there is always room for another rum ball recipe. I also like the one's that use dried fruit.

santos. said...

i don't think i've had a rum ball in forever. i like the idea of bourbon balls, though!

happy holidays!

Unknown said...

Julie, that is hysterical - from the mouths of babes, so to speak. I have made dozens of these in my time, and have experimented with all sorts of different ingredients.

Julie said...

I know Mimi what we come up with as children should be bottled for adulthood.

Julie said...

Thank you Santos, I actually prefer them with Bourbon.

Chris said...

Oh my! Thanks for the laugh! My mom told us that the chocolate bon bons with the red chocolate "dot" was off limits...they were for adults only. I was always so tempted! She used bourbon in her recipe. Love yours!

Julie said...

Chris, I actually prefer the Bourbon ones myself.

michael edelman said...

You reminded me of the time, when I was around 10, when I got a little schnokered at a wedding drinking a few of the "orange juices" on a tray ;-)

I don't drink hard alcohol these days... except in cookies. Yum.

Julie said...

It goes down smoother when concealed in a cookie.