Crunchy Spiced Rum Balls

Our Christmas cookie recipe contest grand-prize winner created this no-bake recipe at the last minute with ingredients she found in her pantry. We love the taste and texture of these elegant yet unassuming holiday treats. Here’s what we discovered when we made Jesse Apfel’s recipe:

Test Kitchen Discoveries

• The unique flavor of spiced rum is perfect in these cookies, but regular rum will, too.
• Soaking the raisins in the rum allows them to plump up and absorb its complex flavors.