Rum and Coke Cake Balls

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and coke cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.

This post is being sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I was growing up there were several dishes you knew to expect for the holidays.

• Grammer’s stuffing
• Granny’s pecan pie
• Aunt Debbie’s corn casserole
• Grandpa’s stash of chocolate candy in the special box at the top of his closet he tried to “hide”
• And a huge box of Coca-Cola® to stay stocked all season long

There would also be lots of goodies like divinity, fudge, carefully decorated Christmas sugar cookies, etc. from the neighbors and friends that would get dropped by the house and remain on display for eating throughout the season.

And by no means did we ever ever, ever go without.

However, there was never fruit cake. Not once that I can remember. It was always that thing that they talked about as the “worst thing ever” – and for some reasons I wanted so bad to know what it was. But what we did have was the rum cake.

When you would pull off the cloche on the rum cake, the most amazing aroma would permeate every part of the room with a rich buttery, coconutty smell that would start at your nose and soon make its way to every part of your taste buds.

But I wasn’t allowed to eat it. That was for the adults. And since I wasn’t supposed to eat and my grandma seemed to love it so much, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t given the opportunity to enjoy something that was so good. It just didn’t seem right that I wouldn’t get to have some. So of course, being the me that I was, I was focused on getting a taste. And one day it happened. No one was looking and I went in for my bite. I still remember that taste. Hitting my tongue, it was better than what I could have imagined!

Later, when I got older, I would find out what that special something was. It was the same spirited concoction the adults would indulge in with their Coca-Cola®. As kids we would also be limited how many sodas we could have, but like that rum cake, it was something to savor, every drop of it from the moment you poured it over ice, until the last drop hit your mouth.

Now I’m the adult. And unfortunately many of those dishes aren’t around anymore just like the women that made them. But there are a few things we still do…but now with a twist.

There’s still chocolate…except now it’s stashed in MY closet.

There are lots of little delights already in the making…but now I’m the one that is making them for my friends and neighbors.

There’s always a stock-up on Coca-Cola® as part of my Sam’s Club run.

And while there’s still no fruit cake, there is rum cake…but with a twist.

Since rum cake and Coca-Cola® were limited as a kid I’ve retaliated with the ultimate Christmas recipe: Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls! It’s like a rum cake and rum and Coca-Cola®  in one little bite. But if you’re like me and now you’re the adult with a few kiddos running around, then you can still enjoy the rum and Coca-Cola® cake without any of the spirits by using the rum extract instead. (You can find it almost anywhere!) Just remember, that a little the Rum Extract goes a long way!)

These make the perfect gift for goodies for the holidays or as something to do as a family while you’re getting in the holiday spirit.

Nothing says the holidays better than Coca-Cola®!

Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls

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• Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and Coca-Cola® cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (the darker the better!)
• 1 box Graham Cracker cookies (or approximate 400 g cookies)
• 3 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ⅓ cup Coca-Cola®+ 1 tablespoon
• 2 1/2 tablespoons Rum Extract + 2 teaspoons
• 450 grams dipping chocolate (There are several great versions to use, just make sure it hardens)

Optional for Topping

• ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Coca-Cola®
• 1 Tablespoon Spiced Rum or 1 teaspoon Rum Extract
• 2–4 tablespoon cocoa powder
• Colored melting chocolate

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Instructions

1. Melt chocolate and butter into microwave until smooth (normally 30 seconds.) Let cool. In a food processor, combine cookies, cocoa and sugar until fine (like sugar.)
2. Add chocolate to the cookie mix until mixed thoroughly. (Make sure to blend until it’s even.)
3. Add cola and rum extract until it created a ball of dough. Knead a few minutes until mixed and allow to sit for a few minutes.
4. When able to pick up, begin making 1-1 1/2 inch balls from the dough and place on
5. parchment or a Silpat mat.
6. Melt dipping chocolate in the microwave until ready to dip. Using a fork, quickly coat balls in chocolate and place back on paper/mat to dry.

Notes

• Optional: If you’d like to add a topping, use cocoa powder as a simple finish or make them even more rum and Coca-Cola® flavor, combine cola and rum (or extra together) with nuts and allow to sit so liquid can be absorbed. Once a little dry, sprinkle nuts for a finishing touch. Otherwise, you can add another melted chocolate for a special holiday touch!

Sweepstakes Information

This holiday season, include Coca-Cola® as part of your tradition. Pick up Sprite® 4 pack 2 Liter, Diet Coke® 4 Pack 2 Liter, Coca-Cola® 35 pack cans, or Coca-Cola® 30 pack Mini Cans beverages from Sam’s Club, then upload your receipt for a chance to WIN a trip for two to Los Angeles featuring:

•       An exclusive red-carpet screening of The Greatest Showman, plus pre-show performance
•       Round trip air transportation for two (2)
•       Two (2) 20th Century Fox goodie bags
•       Three (3) nights’ luxury accommodations in a Hollywood hotel
•       VIP backstage tour of Fox Studios with lunch at the on-site restaurant
•       Full on-site assistance from a personal winner manager throughout the trip

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Enter now:  www.samsclub.com/coca-cola/

“Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.