Chocolate Mocha Amaretto Rum Balls

If you are looking for the perfect gift for someone special in your life … or you need something quick and elegant to bring to a (grownup) holiday party, this is it. That is, if they like rum, and chocolate, and amaretto and nuts.

I mean, who doesn’t like those things? Okay, I know there are people who don’t like chocolate and frankly I just think that’s weird. (But my mom is one of them and she is the best mom ever … love you mom! … even if you are weird … ) I know there are people who don’t like nuts, too. My kids fall in that category. But for those people that DO, they are going to LOVE these little balls of yumminess.

These little balls combine some of my very favorite flavors. And since they use dates instead of sugar, they are healthier for you: dates are rich in fiber, and they contain many health benefiting tannins. Tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties. Plus dates are rich in vitamin A, iron, potassium, minerals and antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin*. Pair that with the health benefits of the dark chocolate and the healthy oils in the nuts and you (almost) have a lovely little health-ball! All right, there is still sugar and alcohol so it’s not quite health food, but my point is, you don’t have to feel TOO guilty when you eat these beauties.

Chocolate Mocha Amaretto Rum Balls

Makes about 35 rum balls

• 2 cups  chocolate graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (about 1 1/2 sleeves of crackers)
• 1 cup finely ground nuts (I used mostly almonds and a few walnuts)
• 1/2 cup oats, ground fine in a food processor or handi chopper
• 1/2 cup dates, pitted and processed in a food processor until the dates form a paste
• 1/4 cup coconut rum
• 1/8 cup amaretto
• 1/8 cup coffee liqueur
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 2 ounces dark chocolate, melted (I used half of a 4-oz. Ghirardelli 60% cocoa chocolate bar … if you want a less intense chocolate taste, use milk or semi-sweet chocolate.)
• For topping: finely chopped nuts, raw (turbinado) sugar, powdered sugar, or melted white chocolate

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the cracker crumbs, oats and nuts.
2. Stir in the liquors, dates and vanilla. The dates will be tough to mix in, but break them into small bits and eventually they will.
3. Add the melted chocolate, and stir until thoroughly combined.
4. Form the mixture into balls about 3/4 inch in diameter, and roll each ball in finely chopped nuts, raw sugar, powdered sugar, or drizzle them with melted white chocolate.
5. If you did the chocolate drizzle, allow the chocolate to set, then store in an air-tight container or package in pretty tins for a lovely gift.

* Date nutrition facts are from Nutrition and You.

This recipe was shared at Midnight Maniac Meatless Mondays, Wonka Wednesdays, Tastetastic Thursdays, and the Secret Recipe Club Cookie Party.