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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

Yet another rum ball variation you won’t be able to resist! With coconut rum on the inside and toasted coconut on the outside, these balls take classic rum balls in a lighter direction.

Want more bite-sized coconut goodies for your snack trays? Try making some Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons or Coconut Cookies. Why not use some of the extra rum to make a Malibu Rum Cake Trifle?

A smiling woman in a festive kitchen holds a baking tray with coconut-covered cookie balls. The kitchen is decorated with Christmas ornaments, lights, and figurines, creating a cheerful holiday atmosphere.

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: This is a very easy recipe.
Total Time: Assembling these rum balls will only take about 10-15 minutes, but make sure you give yourself a couple of hours to bake and cool the cake.
Variations: Add some tropical flair to these rum balls by using a pineapple coconut rum, maybe even some dried pineapple mixed in with the toasted coconut. Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate or some mini chocolate chips before you chill them.
Tools Needed: For this recipe, you’ll need a medium bowl, a spoon, a large baking sheet, and some parchment paper. You’ll also need a 9×13 baking pan and a medium bowl for the cake.

A red plate holds coconut-covered dessert balls. In the background, there is a cheerful snowman figurine with earmuffs and a small, decorated Christmas tree with colorful ornaments.

What You’ll Need For Ingredients

Cake: The quickest and easiest way to do this is to use a vanilla cake mix, but your favourite vanilla cake recipe would also do the trick. As long as it’s moist and fluffy and ready to be crumbled.

Rum: For this recipe, you’ll need Malibu rum or another coconut-flavoured rum. Another option would be to use coconut extract along with your favourite spiced or dark rum.

Coconut: While you could use any shredded coconut for this recipe, you’ll thank yourself if you use toasted coconut. That extra flavour note adds something extra special to these rum balls.

How To Make Coconut Malibu Rum Balls

This is a brief overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

Prepare the cake as per package instructions. Let it cool completely. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Crumble the cooled cake into a medium bowl. Add rum and condensed milk. Mix until a dough forms.
Form 1 inch balls and roll them in toasted coconut. Arrange on the lined baking sheet.
Chill until solid.

A festive holiday table displays coconut-covered treats on red platters, surrounded by a snowman cookie jar, a small decorated Christmas tree, and a bottle of Malibu. The tablecloth features poinsettia designs.

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for Making Coconut Malibu Rum Balls

Make Them In Advance: Like other rum balls, these will taste best when they’ve had a day or two to really soak up the flavour of the rum. You can also save yourself time by making and cooling the cake a day in advance so that all you’ve got to do is assemble the balls and get them chilling. These will keep well in the freezer, so you can make an extra large batch and save them for multiple holiday parties.

Toast the Coconut: If you aren’t able to find toasted coconut in the store, you can toast your own. Just put whichever shredded coconut you’re using into a pan over low heat. Pay close attention and stir frequently, until the coconut starts to turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn let it burn.

A festive scene with coconut-covered dessert balls on a red cake stand and in a white sleigh-shaped dish with a Santa figurine. The table is decorated with a red cloth featuring poinsettias.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate these in a sealed container for several days, or freeze them until solid. Put them in an airtight container, between layers or parchment or wax paper, and freeze them for 3-4 months.

More Delicious Snack Recipes

Looking for more easy snacks to take along to parties this holiday season?

Try some Loaded Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Squares or Rolo Pretzel Bites.

Add some vibrant colours to the snack table with 3 Ingredient Christmas Fudge or Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares / Confetti Bars.

There it is, everyone. Another quick and easy holiday treat. Try these delicious Coconut Malibu Rum Balls and let me know what you think.

Happy Baking!

Karlynn