Description
Bourbon Balls are a classic no-bake treat combining crushed vanilla wafers, toasted pecans, cocoa, and a hint of bourbon. Rolled into bite-sized balls and coated in powdered sugar, these sweet and boozy confections are perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a decadent, easy-to-make dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 (11-ounce) package vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Powdered sugar for coating
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavoring
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Instructions
- Crush the cookies. Use a food processor or food chopper to finely crush the vanilla wafer cookies into crumbs. Alternatively, place the cookies in a large ziptop bag and crush them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until finely ground.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the cookie crumbs, finely chopped toasted pecans, unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar until evenly combined.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup until smooth.
- Form dough. Pour the bourbon mixture into the dry ingredient bowl and stir thoroughly until a thick dough forms that holds together when pressed.
- Shape the balls. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each portion into a roughly 1-inch ball with your hands.
- Coat with powdered sugar. Place additional powdered sugar in a medium bowl and roll each bourbon ball in it thoroughly to coat.
- Chill and store. Arrange the coated bourbon balls in a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- You can substitute light corn syrup with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor.
- For a nuttier taste, lightly toast the pecans before chopping.
- These bourbon balls contain alcohol; allow them to set well in the refrigerator before serving.
- Feel free to roll the balls in cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts as alternative coatings.
- Make sure to store them chilled to maintain texture and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bourbon ball
- Calories: 57 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 21 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0.1 mg
