Rum Balls

1 . Stage

Melt the chocolate: Place the chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals at full power, stirring between each cook time until all the chips have melted.

2 . Stage

Make the rum ball dough: Sift 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar over the melted chocolate (sifting helps prevent clumps). Add the corn syrup, rum and salt. Stir with a whisk until the sugar dissolves and the rum is incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Add the crushed wafers and the walnuts. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until incorporated. The mixture will look crumbly.

3 . Stage

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.

4 . Stage

Shape the rum balls: Place the cocoa powder and remaining 1/3 cup of powdered sugar in separate bowls and keep them nearby. Use a spoon or small ice cream server to scoop out enough chilled mixture to roll a 1-inch ball. The mixture will be crumbly and hard but once you roll and squeeze it in your hands, it will come together. Coat the rum ball with powdered sugar or cocoa powder and repeat with the rest of the mixture.

5 . Stage

Store rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5 days: The rum balls improve in flavor over the next few days.