These gluten free rum balls are celebration cake balls with rich gluten free chocolate cake with gf rum added, and dipped in a rich chocolate glaze. Make them without the rum for an alcohol free treat, or make it just for the grown ups!
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a half sheet pan (13-inches x 18-inches x 1-inch) with unbleached parchment paper, and set it aside.
If you don’t have a half sheet pan, use any shallow baking pan(s) with low sides so you can spread out the batter into a layer about 1/2-inch thick. If the pan is not large enough, try using multiple pans.
In a small, heat-safe bowl, place the chopped chocolate and butter, and place over a pan of simmering (not boiling) water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove the bowl and set it aside to cool briefly.
Add the sour cream to the melted chocolate mixture, and mix to combine.
In a large bowl, place the flour blend, xanthan gum, salt, and granulated sugar, and whisk to combine well.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the eggs and vanilla, and mix to combine.
Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture, and mix again to combine. The batter should be thick but smooth.
Scrape the batter onto the prepared pan and spread into an even layer about 1/2-inch thick with a wet spatula.
Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake just until set in the center, about 13 minutes.
Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes or until no longer hot to the touch.
Make the rum balls.
Line a separate rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper and set it aside.
Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl. Add the cream cheese and the rum, and mix to combine.
The mixture should hold together well when squeezed in your hands. Divide it into 24 portions and roll each tightly into a ball between moist palms, each about 1 1/4-inches in diameter.
Place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill until firm (about 45 minutes—or if you’re in a rush, try the freezer for less than 10 minutes).
Prepare the chocolate glaze.
In a medium-size bowl with high sides, place the chopped chocolate and coconut oil and place the bowl over a pan of simmering (not boiling) water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until the mixture just begins to thicken.
Dip the rum balls.
Immerse one rum ball in the chocolate mixture by pressing it down with a dipping tool or fork and flipping it over in the chocolate.
Remove the rum ball with the utensil by slipping the utensil under it, bobbing the rum ball on the surface of the chocolate a few times, and pulling it along the edge of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
Place the chocolate-covered rum ball back on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining rum balls, and allow to set at room temperature until the chocolate glaze is set.
Store at room temperature until ready to serve. The chocolate glaze will keep the rum balls fresh for at least 3 days.
Notes
Is rum gluten free?Yes, pure rum, without flavorings or additives, is gluten free. You can use anything from dark rum to light rum, depending upon your taste preference.If you would like to try to make these rum balls completely alcohol-free, try using water in place of the rum in equal measure, but add a fair amount of rum extract. As always, feel free to experiment!