Cherry Rum Balls

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup rum
1/4 cup light corn syrup
3 cups fine vanilla wafer crumbs (about 80 cookies)
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Additional confectioners' sugar
Red candied cherries, halved

Place chocolate chips in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir until chips are melted. Stir in rum and corn syrup.

Stir together vanilla wafer crumbs, pecans and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Drizzle chocolate mixture over crumb mixture, stirring until well blended. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; roll in confectioners' sugar. Place cherry half in center of each cookie, pressing down lightly.

Store in an airtight container several days to develop flavor. Before serving, roll balls in additional confectioners' sugar, if desired.

About 4 dozen cookies.

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