Here in Australia, we have a Christmas tradition where we make what’s called “Rum Balls” (they look like those in the picture above). If you look at an old recipe for Rum Balls you’ll find that they are made with crushed Weetbix (*), cocoa, coconut, condensed milk, mixed fruit and rum. Usually lots of rum. You’ll find them on every Christmas food table in just about every house in Australia or put in an old glass coffee jar, wrapped in cellophane for a friend or neighbour as a gift. These chocolate truffles I make are exactly the same but with NO rum and are an excellent way to use up Weetbix.

These make an excellent lunch box or after school treat for the kids (without the rum of course) and are really easy for the kids to make. I can remember helping Mum make the rum balls every year. I was never a fan of rum all my life but somehow we all used eat those rum soaked treats even as children, I think? Maybe I was drunk on the fumes.  I used the 99% fat free condensed milk so even I  can enjoy them. (Who am I kidding? I’ll eat them full of fat or fat free!)

Once the ingredients are mixed together, I like to leave it sit for a while so the Weetbix crumbs soak up all the moisture. It can get a bit messy when you’re rolling the mixture but its a lot of fun and you make heaps in next to no time.


Once rolled into a ball, roll in more coconut and your done. Store in the fridge until required. (These might just go on the teacher’s present list for Christmas this year, with the rum. They’ll probably need it after dealing with my two children all year!)

{Weetbix} Chocolate Truffles

  • 8 Weetbix, crushed
  • 2 tbs cocoa
  • 1/2 cup coconut
  • 1 x 395gm tin condensed milk
  • 1 cup dried fruit of any kind (optional – I added a handful of tiny chocolate chips)
  1. Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl and combine well. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes for moisture to be soaked up by condensed milk.
  2. Take small bits of mixture and roll into a ball.
  3. Roll into coconut.
  4. Store in fridge until required.
  5. Makes approx 20 balls.

(*) In the USA, Wheaties or Bran Flakes are a suitable substitute.