This post is brought to you by Karo ® Syrup ~ The holidays are all about indulgent sweets in all shapes and sizes. These buttery bite-size Pecan Balls are guaranteed to be a welcome addition to your holiday goodies plan. The filling is a heavenly amalgamation of a buttery brown sugar Karo ® Syrup mixture that’s combined with vanilla wafer crumbs and toasted pecans. After forming the mixture into the perfect bite size balls they’re dipped in both white chocolate and classic chocolate candy coating. The tops are then sprinkled with additional toasted pecans to give a hint to the flavors nestled inside.
Thanksgiving jump starts the holiday season with good food, friends, family and memories in the making. Karo ® Syrup is as much a part of my family’s Thanksgiving baking tradition as turkey and gravy are to the meal. It forms the basis of so many Southern delights that we love and incorporate onto our holiday dessert menu. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s mini confections are always included and we love the chewy texture Karo gives to cookies and handheld delicacies. Desserts like Toffee Crunch Pecan Pie and chewy Scotcheroos are among our very favorites.
When it comes to these kind of grab and go mini sweets it’s a terrific opportunity to get the whole family involved in the preparation. Set up an assembly line and have one person stirring, one rolling into balls and another dipping the pecan balls into the candy coating. It’s not only helpful but, I’m always mindful that when we work together we aren’t just making something special to eat but, lifelong memories, too. When making these pecan balls I thought it would be fun to dip them into two different flavors of candy coating. You can certainly go with one or the other according to your personal preference. Keep in mind, it’s important to stop often when dipping the pecan balls to sprinkle the tops with pecans. Candy coating is designed to set-up quickly and it’s important to do the garnishing while they’re still wet so the pecans will stick. For a timesaver, you can make these up to one week in advance and store chilled in an airtight container. Take them out of the fridge before serving and allow time to come to room temperature so the filling can soften just a bit. The combination of the buttery chewy texture and rich flavor makes these the perfect indulgent bite size holiday sweet treat.
You may also like: Chocolate Dipped Scotcheroo Bon Bons, Bourbon Pecan Pie and Caramel Pecan Turtle Scotcheroos.
Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Helpful Kitchen Items:
Disclaimer ~ This post is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Karo® Syrup. The opinions and text are all mine. Thank you for being supportive and allowing me to share products with you that I enjoy.
Pecan Balls
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans toasted and divided
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/2 cup toffee bits divided
- 1 lb white chocolate candy coating
- 1 lb chocolate candy coating
Instructions
- Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in a preheated 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a large heavy bottomed saucepan melt together the butter, sugar, Karo® Light Corn Syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Mix well.
- Next, add 2 cups pecans, vanilla wafers and toffee bits to the mixture. Mix until fully moistened.
- To coat: Line a large baking sheet with wax paper.
- Using a small cookie or ice cream scoop divide the mixture rolling into 1-inch bite size balls. Place on baking sheet.
- Melt candy coating per package instructions. Using a fork dip into candy coating allowing any excess to drip off. Place onto wax paper.
- Sprinkle the tops of each pecan ball with reserved 1/2 cup pecans while wet then allow to dry completely.
- Store chilled in an airtight container for up to one week. Bring to room temperature prior to serving.
Notes
- May substitute dark Karo corn syrup in place of light Karo corn syrup.
- May substitute honey graham cracker crumbs in place of vanilla wafer crumbs.
Melissa
Latest posts by Melissa (see all)
- Pretzel Avalanche Fudge - September 20, 2019
- Quick Jambalaya - September 18, 2019
- Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes - September 15, 2019
Dee says
How do you toast the pecans. I didn’t see that in the instructions.
Melissa says
Here you go: Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in a preheated 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Eva Crizer says
Thank you Melissa! I look forward to making these over the holidays. I also saved the recipe to Pinterest.
Melissa says
Thank you Eva!
Liz says
These were SO delicious and addicting that I had to hide them from myself! Perfect for holiday gifting!
Barbara Schieving says
Nobody can resist these pecan balls.
Ben Rayl says
These are the perfect treat for the Holidays! So pretty and absolutely scrumptious!
Sandy @ RE says
This is such an easy dessert and my GO-TO for the holidays!
Aysegul Sanford says
Such a great edible holiday gift. And thanks for those step by step photos. Having a visual was so helpful.
Lori Lange says
Covering them in chocolate is the best idea!
Joanne says
These are so good. Love them for the holidays!
Jennifer Farley says
So good! My family will love these for dessert during the holidays!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
These are absolutely addictive! My kids loved these!
Stephanie Manley says
Served these up at my bunco party, they were gone before the dice started to roll.
Cindy boston says
Can these be frozen?
Melissa says
Great question! I haven’t frozen them but, think they likely would do well.
Janie says
What are toffei bits
Melissa says
They can be found on the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Also referred to as Bits-o-Brickle.
Bea says
Hello, I want to try your recipe as it is a little different from mine with the addition of the toffee bits. I put these in my Christmas baskets every year. They keep & travel the US very well.
Melissa says
How wonderful, I agree these are ideal for shipping.