Bourbon Balls

These Kentucky Bourbon Balls make a spectacular addition to your holiday goodies menu. They’re insanely delicious whether they’ve been dipped in warm melted chocolate or rolled in powdered sugar or cocoa powder. Make them in advance for a timesaver and to give the flavor time to mellow.

Ingredients to Make Kentucky Bourbon Balls Recipe

Bourbon balls are a classic Southern holiday dessert confection. These treats come in several variations. Some recipes use a combination of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, along with butter and powdered sugar for the filling. Some bourbon ball recipes call for walnuts in place of pecans, and some use vanilla wafer crumbs and cocoa powder in the filling. One thing they all have in common is, a decent amount of Kentucky Bourbon to give the taste a kick. Ingredients to make Kentucky Bourbon Balls: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Bourbon – Bourbon adds moisture and is the signature flavor of bourbon balls.
• Cookies – Crushed pecan shortbread cookies i.e. Pecan Sandies or similar.
• Nuts – Chopped toasted pecans plus 18-20 pecan halves for garnishing.
• Sugar – One cup powdered sugar for sweetness.
• Butter – Melted butter and light corn syrup adds richness.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract.
• Chocolate – Two cups semi sweet or milk chocolate chips.
• Shortening – Solid vegetable shortening to thin the chocolate.
• Garnish – Toffee bits (bits-o-brickle) for garnishing.
• Confectioners’ Sugar – Powdered sugar for rolling.

These Bourbon Balls come with a Butter Pecan Twist

As with all of the recipes on this website, I developed this recipe highlighting the flavors my family enjoys most. I use pecan shortbread crumbs for the base of the bourbon balls filling and have for many years. I choose to skip the cocoa powder often found in the filling of classic bourbon balls, so that the butter pecan flavor isn’t masked. You’ll note, I also prefer to dip them in melted chocolate, instead. Is there alcohol in bourbon balls? You betcha! These aren’t cooked so the bourbon is a prominent flavor and the alcohol doesn’t evaporate. If you’re concerned, you can make these as an adult only treat.

How to Make the BEST Kentucky Bourbon Balls Recipe

• Heat Oven and Toast Pecans – Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet, toast then set aside to cool.
• Crush Cookies – Crush pecan shortbread cookies using a food processor until fine crumbs stir in a large bowl with chopped pecans and powdered sugar.
• Liquid – In a separate bowl stir together Kentucky Bourbon, butter, corn syrup and vanilla extract until fully combined.
• Combine – Pour bourbon mixture into the dry ingredients, mix until fully moistened.
• Cover and Chill – Transfer crumb mixture to an airtight container and chill for 4 hours or overnight to set.
• Roll into Balls – Roll chilled mixture into 1-inch balls. (Similar to a meatball.) Place onto a parchment lined pan and keep chilled, or pop into the freezer, while working in batches to coat.
• Melt Chocolate – Melt chocolate with shortening in a double boiler. Dip the bourbon balls into the chocolate to coat. Chill to set.
• Confectioners’ Sugar Coating – Roll one third of bourbon balls in powdered sugar until coated on all sides.
• Refrigerate – Chill until serving.

Tips for Making Southern Bourbon Balls

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, food processor to crush the cookies, a sheet pan to toast the pecans, a meatball scoop or similar small scoop, double boiler, forks for dipping into melted chocolate and parchment lined sheet pan for drying the bourbon balls.
• Rule of thumb with recipes if an ingredient is in the title, it’s an important ingredient. Feel free to use your favorite bourbon. I used Maker’s Mark.
• Use a Quality Cookie: Pecan Sandies cookies or a private label store brand, will work equally well for the cookie crumbs in these no bake bourbon balls.
• Chill to Firm the Dough: Due to the amount of moisture in the filling from the bourbon and butter, it’s necessary for the filling to chill and solidify before you can roll it into balls. Don’t expect to be able to form into rounds immediately, allow ample time for chilling.
• Allow Chill Time Before Serving Allows the Flavor to Mellow: It’s important to make these at least 3-5 days prior to serving them to give the bourbon flavor time to mellow.
• Chill or Freeze Bourbon Balls Prior to Dipping in Chocolate: These must be kept chilled or pop into the freezer, until just before dipping in chocolate or rolling in powdered sugar. Work in batches, keeping them chilled, or frozen, until you’re ready finish them.

Recipe Variations

• Rolling Variations: Just to add interest, I recommend dividing the bourbon balls into thirds. I rolled one third in powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness, then the rest are dipped in chocolate and garnished differently.
• Garnish with Toffee Bits and Chopped Pecans: Sprinkle the tops of half of the chocolate dipped with toffee bits and the remaining half with a single pecan or chopped pecans. You can also roll a few in unsweetened cocoa powder, flaked coconut or additional chopped nuts to add variety.
• Cookie Substitutions: You can use vanilla wafers in place of shortbread cookies or graham crackers.
• Rum: You could also use rum in this recipe for rum balls.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store Bourbon Balls in an airtight container chilled in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. Perfect for make-ahead sweets during Thanksgiving and Christmas!
• Freezer: You can freeze Kentucky Bourbon Balls for up to 3 months.

More Southern Style Holiday Recipes to Make

• Red Velvet Cupcakes will be a hit with kids of all ages.
• These easy Cream Horns always impress.
• For a non alcoholic option checkout my delicious recipe for Pecan Balls
• Fluffy Southern Divinity Candy is soft and billowy.
• You can whip-up a batch of Microwave Fudge in no time flat.
• My homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is terrific for gift giving with a bonus how-to for making marshmallow snowmen.
• Festive Chocolate Peppermint Truffles.
• Santa Hat Brownies are cute as a button and delicious, too!
• Hot Chocolate Dip from Yellow Bliss Road.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Food Processor
• Mixing Bowls
• Sheet Pan
• Double Boiler