A recent conversation with fellow bloggers got me thinking rumballs. More specifically, it got me thinking that I will need rumballs to survive upcoming holiday travels.
But instead of rumballs, I recalled another candied ball of booze. A few years back, my husband and I traveled to Kentucky and it was there that I fell in love with bourbon. And Rebecca Ruth bourbon balls. These sweet Kentucky gems have a great back story (Which I’ve featured at Blog of Funny Names–read about it here. There’s a video of a fellow RR bourbon ball fan making a batch, too.) and are one-of-a-kind in the bourbon ball world. (The more traditional bourbon balls were featured at food for fun nearly two years ago–these of course were the part un.)
A recent purchase of more chocolate than anyone really needs (thank you, Trader Joe’s!) made the decision for me and Rebecca Ruth’s chocolate-dipped bourbon balls were my project for the night.
Chowhound’s recipe caught my eye as it was as simple as 1/2 cup butter, 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 5 tablespoons bourbon. The amount of chocolate was vague, but I melted 14 ounces of dark chocolate and ended up with just a bit left over.
The process wasn’t overly long nor was it too messy. Best part: I now have 40 or so bourbon balls that should keep for a long while, powering me through the Christmas holidays and quite possibly taking me into the new year. Though I plan to share, so they may not make it that long.
shiny!
Speaking of sharing, I wish I could give everyone here a Rebecca Ruth Kentucky-style bourbon ball as a token of my gratitude. I appreciate you reading and wish you a blessed and wonderful holiday season. Food for fun is off for the next week or so, but already looking forward to coming back in 2014 with fun new food finds. Until then, enjoy the crazy delicious that is life.
so sweet
food for fun 
Bourbon balls. After the chocolate bourbon cake, how could anyone resist? They look phenomenal!
Have a wonderful holiday next week! (Love the snow.) 😉
Thanks, Tracy. This packs an even more powerful punch (boxing joke for Dave 😀 ) than the cake.
Wishing you well in your holiday season as well. Stay warm and dry, even though it is snowing all over the blogosphere,
Hi,
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Your Food Blog is very interested. I worked as a cook when I was a young lad.
Have a nice Christmas time.
You love the food then, too! Appreciate your comment and wish you a wonderful Christmas as well.
Great minds think alike, ish. I’ve been looking at rum balls this week! I might sneak in a couple more posts this year, or maybe not. Have a fabulous holiday season!!
You, too, Saucy. Appreciate you being here and am not surprised we’re both thinking rum/bourbon balls. I usually make rum balls, so might get a batch of those in as well.
Will be in touch as soon as I meet my next two deadlines. Am glad work has picked up on my end, but it’s meant putting other projects aside for a bit. Appreciate your patience!!
Happy holidays to you and yours 🙂
No worries, enjoy the Christmas festivities and rum/bourbon balls, Australia is well and truly into our month long silly season and we are off to the beach! 😀
A new reason to try to make bourbon balls!! My first effort was so full of bourbon, only the true sots int he group appreciated their taste!! Thanks Liz, you leave us with something yummy to try. Wishing you the most wonderful holiday season of all time!! hugs, m
These are plenty boozy, Mimi so still might be appreciated by the sots in your set 😉 Love that you’ve already given it a go.
Wishing you and yours happy holidays as well.
Enjoy your Christmas break! And thank you for leaving us with a nice treat to console us in your absence. 😉
Thanks, Jenny. lol, because everyone needs consoling when I’m gone. haha. Wishing you happy holidays as well. Hoping you get plenty of time off before starting up that new life 😀
Oooh, they look yummy! Thinking maybe I can make these for New Year’s… 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful holiday break, Liz!
Thanks, Ger!! Fun to have you here–appreciate you coming over. These are definitely New Year’s treats. Bourbon ball in one hand and champagne flute in the other–what a way to welcome in 2014 😀
We have both bourbon AND rum at the moment. I could go either way with these, Liz. MMMM, this looks great! I am glad you were inspired by your fellow bloggers. Happy holidays! – Shanna xx
Thanks, Shanna. Happy holidays to you as well. May I suggest making 1/2 batch of each? More trouble, maybe, but then you won’t have to choose 🙂
Yes, those “fellow bloggers” are plenty inspiring.
Haha. Excellent idea, Liz. Oh my, so much baking here today! Pumpkin muffins, truffles… will add these to my list! Best – Shanna
yay, thanks for these liz and i look forward to more food and bevs from you in the new year, you always have something cooking…
indeed I do 😉 Thanks for being a regular here in my virtual kitchen! Thinking these bourbon balls would be a lovely add-on to your gift of spicy spirits for your fellow educators.
It wouldn’t be a party here without you, Beth (here and at BoFN) and I am deeply grateful for your always coming round 😀 Happy holidays to you and yours.
Happy Holidays, I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends, I have had bourbon balls, they are wonderful. I haven’t made rum balls in a long time, now that you mention bourbon thats what I want. They look really delicious,
Thanks, Suzanne 🙂 Something about the holidays screams boozy candy. And eggnog 😉 Wishing you wonderful celebrations as well.
These look damn good!!
Thanks, Karinna! They are that good 🙂 Glad you came by–looks like we share much of the same cooking background and philosophy. Will be fun to follow you.
Lovely created tasty balls! I love the filling too! Yum Yum Yum, Liz!
thanks, Sophie. The filling is the best part indeed 🙂 A bit dangerous for sure.
hahahahahha! 🙂
Tasty indeed. I am not a fan of bourbon though my entire family enjoys it and even got my husband drinking it too and he is actually from Kentucky. I did discover a taste for bourbon when at a distillery in Kentucky though (Woodford Reserve). Though pregnant with baby number two at the time I was able to enjoy a bourbon ball they had. More like a truffle but quite tasty! I do love rum balls too, may have to add them to the list…if there ever is enough time! Happy holidays and looking forward to more posts in the new year.
You know exactly what I”m talking about! The Kentucky-style bourbon balls are totally different–more trufflle-like, like you say–than the traditional bourbon and rum balls.
My husband and I traveled the bourbon trail when we were in KY (complete with passport) and I got so excited about how bourbon is made, etc. Such a fascinating spirit.
Wishing you well in your busy holiday season. Yes, lots to do and most of it great fun. Appreciate you coming by and your kind words!
I say this every time I comment here, but I NEED TO MAKE THESE. I’m supposing you could sub in another type of alcohol if desired—like rum, or kahlua, or Bailey’s? Mmm!!!
would love to try it with kahlua or Bailey’s! Liking how you think 🙂 You can make these after Christmas, too. Going to need something to get us through January and Feb.
Thanks, Kaela! For being here and also checking out the BoFN post.
I am making these TONIGHT! Subbing amaretto. I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
please do! Love that you’re subbing another spirit. Possibilities are endless 🙂
Liz!! Oh my goodness, I’m late to the rum ball party. I hope there’s one or two left, they look amazing! But before we get to the food – it’s snowing on your page !!! I love it! So festive 🙂 Thanks for always making everyone feel so welcome in your kitchen and I hope you have a wonderful, food filled holiday!
oh, you HAVE had a tough day, amb. Will take extra-good care of you here. No rum balls (still need EJ’s recipe), but do have bourbon balls. Can find extra eggnog for you, too, so why don’t you take a seat on the couch next to Mimi, put your feet up, and sink down into those cushions. Have blankets, too, in case that snow gets too cold.
Appreciate your kind words more than you’ll ever know 😀
I am a bourbon fan as well. I think I would love bourbon balls over rum balls for sure! 🙂 How about Templeton Rye? Have you tried it? It’s my favorite for sure.
I have not had Templeton Rye, but thinking that needs to go on my Christmas list 😀 My husband gave me the best bday present ever this year with this book: http://uncrate.com/stuff/drink-more-whiskey/
Love learning more about how it’s made, different types, etc.
Thanks for coming over and raising a glass with me 😀
A “candied ball of booze”. Lol. I love it!
Thanks 🙂 Love that are treats I don’t have to share with my kids 😉
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Looks tasty! How long does this recipe take. You may actually convince me to cook for once in my life!
There’s obviously supposed to be a question mark in there, so I’ll make a “creative decision” to switch the ending of that sentence with this one?
Holy cow–your “mmmmm” went off the page 😀 Have never seen you this enthusiastic about a food for fun post, Dave 😉 Glad it tripped your trigger. Took a few hours, but I was also doing other things at the time (putting kids to bed, etc). Decided to make them 8ish and had it all together by 10 or so. And that included the chill time. (wouldn’t have had room in the fridge, but the cold outdoor temps do occasionally come in handy) You can totally make these and I hope you do. Thanks for coming over and turning up the volume around here!
Having a reserve of 40 bourbon balls means you’re ready, Liz, for just about anything the holidays are going to throw your way. These do sounds good and really are easy to make. I should think about building a reserve for myself. 🙂
Hope your Christmas is wonderful and may 2014 be a good year for you and yours.
You’re brilliant, John–I am indeed ready for anything now 🙂 Wishing you a merry Christmas as well and am looking forward to reading more about your family’s recipes in 2014. (and yes, do go ahead and build that reserve!)
Wow, these look yummy! I don’t think I’ve ever tried bourbon balls, but now I am motivated to do so. 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I would highly recommend you make a batch–doesn’t have to be in time for the holidays. They’ll make any day celebratory!
You always know the perfect snacks my friend, these look awesome 😀
Happy Holidays!
CCU
Thank you CCU 🙂 Happy holidays to yo as well.
How delicious! You just gave me a great potluck idea for a NYE party. I recently bought a bottle of bourbon solely for incorporating into desserts–should last me awhile 🙂 Happy holidays, Liz!
thanks, Ada! Yes, the bourbon balls would be perfect for New Year’s Eve 🙂 Happy happy to you, too. See you on the flip side of ’14 🙂 Enjoy your celebrations.
Your food blog is very interesting 🙂
thanks 🙂 So glad you came by!
Thank you very much for following the blog, I really look forward to reading your posts and happy new year 2014. Gede Prama 🙂
Thanks, Gede! So sorry to be so late in responding. Appreciate your visit and comment very much.
Wow, these do look quite simple yet very delicious!! Did they get you through the holiday? 🙂 I like the idea because one can so easily be popped in your mouth!
Wow, am I late on replying to these comments. Somehow fell in a black hole maybe? Thanks for coming over to enjoy the bourbon balls. Just picked up a bag of bourbon ball “boo boos” on a recent Kentucky trip so won’t have to make any for a while. Yes, a bit dangerous to just be able to pop them in, but they’re rich enough that you won’t get too many in without starting to feel the sugar.
I hate when that happens! Sometimes comments just get missed 🙂 I am going to try making something like this when I am back in Colorado- it will be just in time for the holidays! 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever had bourbon, but I love me some dark chocolate, so I would try these. The only problem is there no way I could eat just one.
See above, Kerbey. After about two, you have to stop. And drink lots of water. We bought a bag of “boo boos” (that’s really what they were called) on this last trip and I plan to have them last me a while.
As a general rule, I’m not a fan of boo boos. Were they made of honey? Were they honey boo boos?
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