Debbie's Famous Rum Balls

My mom, Debbie, has been famous for her rum balls since I can remember. Every Christmas, we would make dozens of batches for friends and family. It was a group effort. My mom and dad would perfect the combination ingredients, usually adding too much rum and having to make it less soupy by adding more graham crackers or nuts. I would help roll them into balls and dress them in powder sugar. My grandma lives for these rum balls! Even lately when she doesn't seem to be eating as much as she used to, she still loves to eat the rum balls!

So when my husband asked me to make a batch for his work friends, I thought it would be a great idea and something I could start doing for our new little family's holiday traditions. Maybe when Jay gets older, he can help me roll them, too.

Debbie's Famous Rum Balls

• 2 cups graham crackers, finely ground
• 2 cups nuts, finely ground (she uses walnuts but any nuts can work. I used pecans and they were great!)
• 1 container chocolate cake frosting
• A couple shots 151 rum, to taste
• 1 cup powdered sugar in a medium sized bowl

Take the ground graham crackers, nuts, frosting and rum and mix thoroughly in a bowl. It will be thick. I got in there with my hands and mixed it like I was kneading bread which worked well. Or you can be civilized and use a spoon but be ready for an upper body workout! Once mixed well, sample the mixture. If it's too dry, not rummy enough, etc, add more rum. If it's too soupy or just too strong, add more of the dry ingredients. You get the picture. You want a soft mixture but one the will roll and hold its shape as a ball well.

When you're happy with your ratio, roll up your sleeves, it's time to get messy! Take a small amount of the mixture, roll it into your hand to form a ball and roll the ball into the powdered sugar. The ball size is your call but I think they're best when they're quite small, maybe 1/2 tablespoon of mixture or less.

Anyway, so you're made your first rum ball! Now proceed with the rest of the mixture until it's finished. Of course, you have to sample throughout the process to make sure they're still tasty! Have fun!