Deep in the walls of Grandmother Maple's cottage, where the wood was old and sweet and the pantry always overflowed with mysterious and magical herbs and unnamed collections from the forest, there lived a colony of termites with very refined tastes.
These weren't your ordinary termites. No, the Tipsy Termites of Maple Cottage had discovered something wonderful: the rum barrel in the cellar sprung a wee leak. Drip drip drip. Just a drop here, a drop there, pooling into the grain of the floorboards where the termites made their home.
By November, they were the happiest termites in the northern hemisphere and even Santa was hearing rumors about a family of Tipsy Termites.
These lucky bugs knew a good thing when they found it and they nibbled and they savored. And when the first snow fell and the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and brown sugar, they'd emerge (in spirit, at least) in the form of plump, rum-soaked raisins ready for their greatest adventure yet: becoming cookies.
This is their story. And their recipe.
Tipsy Termite Cookies™ – Rum-Soaked Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
The kitchen smells like winter, rum, and just a little mischief. The winter air warms with the sound of giggles from the floor boards. Below is a recipe that every Mom and Dad can enjoy baking with their kids.... just keep the booze on the top shelf with the elf.
These soft, chewy oatmeal cookies are loaded with "tipsy termites" (raisins soaked in spiced rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg until they're plump, fragrant, and absolutely irresistible). No real bugs, of course. Just Bug Zoo magic.
With the warm spices, these are perfect for Christmas baking, cheeky gift-giving, or cozy kitchen rituals with little hands helping and big hearts laughing.
Ingredients
For the Tipsy Termites:
- 1–1½ cups raisins (the drier, the better—they absorb more magic)
- Spiced rum to cover
- Dash of cinnamon
- Dash of nutmeg
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp rum from the soaking liquid
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups quick oats
- Optional: ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
Step One: Prepare Your Termites (at least 24 Hours Ahead)
Place raisins in a jar. Add enough spiced rum to cover, plus a generous dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Seal and let steep for at least 24 hours. The drier and more shriveled your raisins start out, the more rum they'll drink. Choose wisely. They don’t scurry. They lounge—like boozy iguanas sunning on the black lava rocks of the Galapagos.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream the butter with brown and white sugars until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and 1–2 tablespoons of that glorious rum soaking liquid.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. Don't overwork it—termites hate stress.
- Fold in the oats, then the drained tipsy termites (raisins), and nuts if using.
- Chill the dough for 15–30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape and lets the flavors mingle.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
- The Secret Double-Bake: Bake for 5–6 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool completely on the pan. Once cooled, bake again for 4–6 minutes. This technique creates that coveted bakery-style texture—crisp edges, impossibly chewy centers.
- Cool slightly. Hide a few. Share the rest. Or don't.
A Note for Grown-Ups
The alcohol in the raisins bakes off during cooking, making these cookies perfectly kid-safe. That said, we recommend supervising younger helpers, especially if they're sneaking "termites" straight from the jar. Remember to leave some out for Santa and his Elves! 🎅
Pro tip: Add orange zest or a pinch of clove for extra holiday sparkle.
Serving & Gifting Ideas
- Pair with spiced chai, hot apple cider, or peppermint cocoa
- Stack in a mason jar with a tag: "Warning: Do Not Feed the Termites"
- Serve warm with a whisper of flaky sea salt for drama
- Leave out for Santa (he's tired of plain sugar cookies)
Why Termites? A Bug Zoo Reflection
At the heart of the Bug Zoo, we believe every creature deserves a moment in the spotlight, even the ones that make homeowners nervous. Termites are remarkable architects, building complex colonies and recycling dead wood back into the ecosystem. They've been doing their job for over 150 million years.
These cookies are our small, silly tribute to nature's most dedicated soft bodied architects. No termites were harmed (or used) in the making of this recipe. Just rum. Just raisins. Just a little holiday magic and a lot of love.
Looking for more Bug Zoo holiday recipes? Stay tuned for the rest of our "Creature Feature Cookie" series this season.Thanks for buzzing by the Bug Zoo Recipe Blog!
We make food fun for families with bug-themed recipes, science-sprinkled snacks, and hands-on kitchen adventures. Every dish is inspired by the amazing world of insects! No real bugs in the ingredients, ever. Think backyard nature meets the snack drawer. Yum!
Discover more bug-themed swag, gifts, and décor in the online Bug Shop and bring a little six-legged magic home.
About the Author
Carol Maier is an entomologist, beekeeper, educator, and founder of the Bug Zoo in Victoria, BC (since 1996). She blends apiculture, entomology, arachnology, and international agriculture into joyful edutainment and storytelling, sparking curiosity for kids of all ages because life should feel like one big field trip. Connect on LinkedIn.
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