Description
Kentucky bourbon balls blend rich chocolate, smooth bourbon, and nutty pecans into irresistible holiday treats. Homemade confections deliver a spirited punch that delights guests and satisfies sweet cravings with sophisticated Southern charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups (840 ml) vanilla wafer cookies (about 70–80 cookies), such as Nilla Wafers
- 1 ¼ cups (150 g) pecan halves
- 6 ounces (170 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Flavoring Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (30 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup (40 g) confectioners’ sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) bourbon
- ¼ cup (60 ml) dark corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- 25 pecan halves for topping
Instructions
- Transform vanilla wafer cookies and pecan halves into fine crumbs using a food processor, creating a uniform texture that will serve as the base for the bourbon balls.
- Incorporate cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, bourbon, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the crumb mixture, pulsing until the ingredients form a cohesive, slightly tacky consistency that easily holds its shape when compressed.
- Measure approximately 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of the mixture and gently roll into compact 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) spheres, aiming to create around 25 uniform bourbon balls with smooth, tightly packed surfaces.
- Arrange the formed bourbon balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then refrigerate for 10 minutes to enhance their structural integrity and prepare them for chocolate coating.
- Melt high-quality chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each session to ensure a smooth, glossy chocolate mixture without scorching.
- Retrieve the chilled bourbon balls and carefully dip each one into the melted chocolate using two forks, allowing excess chocolate to drip off while ensuring complete coverage.
- Immediately garnish each chocolate-coated bourbon ball with a single pecan half, pressing gently to secure the nut as a decorative topping.
- Return the chocolate-dipped bourbon balls to the refrigerator for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the chocolate coating to solidify and create a crisp, glossy exterior.
Notes
- Bourbon selection matters most for rich, deep flavor profiles in these delectable treats.
- Wafer and pecan grinding requires precision to achieve perfect consistency for ball formation.
- Refrigeration is crucial before chocolate coating to ensure structural integrity and smooth coverage.
- Melted chocolate temperature directly impacts dipping success and overall confection appearance.
- Immediate pecan placement guarantees maximum adhesion during final decorative step.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg