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Rum Balls, Chocolate-Apricot (D, TNT)
Source: "One Smart Cookie," by Julie Van Rosendaal
Yield: 2 to 3 dozen, depending what size you make them

Filling:
3 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1/4 cup apricot jam
3 tbsp. rum
1 tbsp. water

Glaze and Coating:
1/4 cup apricot jam, strained
Any (or all) of the following for rolling:
Chocolate (or other colored) sprinkles
chocolate cookie crumbs
cocoa powder
colored sugar
icing sugar
finely ground peppermint candy
finely ground nuts
coconut

Make Filling:
In a large bowl, combine crumbs, cocoa, jam, rum, and water, and stir until well blended. Add a few extra drops of water only if you need it to hold the mixture together. Shape into 1" to 1-1/4" balls. Set aside on waxed or parchment paper-covered trays.

Make Glaze/Coating and Assembly:
Heat strained jam in a small saucepan or the microwave until warm and liquidy. Dip balls in the jam, then roll in sprinkles or crumbs (etc.) to coat. Set on waxed paper and leave at room temperature to dry. When dry, place in paper candy cups. Store in tightly covered container.

Poster's Notes:
I used raspberry jam and Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) as I don't like rum. I think any combination of flavoring and jam would work just as well. I think a coffee liqueur would go well with the apricot too. Also, I used jam with seeds, and had to strain it well for the rolling. It might be better to use seedless jam.

Finally, I found it a bit difficult to roll the balls into the jam when it was really hot. I added a bit of hot water to the melted jam to liquefy it a bit more, as it was getting thick and goopy on me. It worked quite well. I also used some candy making plastic forks and spoons to move the balls around in the jam and the coatings, but you can use your hands too.

I made these for the first time this year, on the recommendation of a friend. They are awesome. We've made some variations to the original recipe, as we're not partial to Rum flavoring. The bonus with this recipe is that it's somewhat lower in fat and calories than other similar recipes, but doesn't taste it.

Posted by Shayla Goldstein

Nutritional Info Per Serving: Per rum ball: 65.5 calories, 2g fat (0.6g saturated fat, 0.7g mono unsaturated fat, 0.6 polyunsaturated fat), 10.4g carbohydrates, 0.3mg cholesterol, 83.9mg sodium, 0.7g fibre. 28% calories from fat.