The History of the Rum Ball

Background Info

In Zealand, they’re called “romkugler,” while in some parts of Jutland, they’re referred to as “trøfler.” Regardless of the name, it’s the same cake: the delicious, time-honored bakery classic with a rum flavor and either colored sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. This cake has been known and loved for generations, and neither the passage of time, diet crazes, nor changing fashions seem to have diminished its popularity. Everyone loves “romkugler,” and the cake is, and remains, a classic.
The history of the “romkugle” is hard to pin down, and the original inventor remains a mystery. However, it is certainly a Danish specialty not found outside the country’s borders. The cake has had a somewhat mixed reputation in certain circles, such as the old myth that claims it’s made from cake crumbs swept up from the bakery floor(!)

This, however, has no basis in reality, and one might suspect that the rumor was started by competing bakers envious of the brilliant idea the creator of the “romkugle” had. “Romkugler” are indeed made from cake leftovers: day-old cakes that weren’t sold are mixed with jam and rum essence, shaped into balls, and rolled in sprinkles. It’s a fantastic use of leftovers, which in all respects are fresh and good, and it’s an idea we can be rightly proud of.

For many, the “romkugle” is a mandatory part of a visit to the bakery, and there’s always room for just one. Whether you prefer the variant with colorful carnival sprinkles or the ones with dark chocolate sprinkles, both are guaranteed to be found on the bakery’s shelves. In fact, there are probably as many different recipes for “romkugler” as there are bakers, and that’s precisely what makes the cake so special.

At the bakery, “romkugler” are, as mentioned, a brilliant way to avoid wasting good cake leftovers. From a business perspective, it’s smart that something that would otherwise be thrown away can instead be used in a new cake that, with incredibly few ingredients, becomes a wonderfully tasty product. Additionally, it makes good sense to use leftovers that are perfectly fine, and it aligns perfectly with the current trend of avoiding food waste, being climate-conscious, and generally saving more on resources.

You can use the same principle at home, where you probably occasionally find yourself with leftover cake and don’t know what to do with it. Try freezing the leftover cake in a resealable bag. When the bag is full, you’ll have a suitable amount of cake leftovers to make a batch of your own delicious “romkugler” that will surely surpass those you can buy at even the best bakery.

Recipes

The basic recipe for “romkugler” is essentially just cake leftovers, jam, and a dash of rum essence. However, there are small adjustments, tips, and tricks you can use to vary the “romkugler.” We’ve compiled a range of recipes worth checking out when you start making your own “romkugler.”