Pecan Balls
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.
Easy Pecan Balls Recipe
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.
How to Make the Best Pecan Balls Recipe
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. The combination of the buttery chewy texture of the filling and the rich flavor makes these the perfect indulgent bite size holiday sweet treat.
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Pecan Balls: Chopped pecans, butter, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, crushed vanilla wafers crumbs, chocolate candy coating and white chocolate candy coating.
- Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A heavy bottomed 3 quart or larger saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, a baking pan to toast the pecans, a separate sheet pan lined with wax paper, a small scoop, a candy fork or two forks for dipping the pecan balls in the chocolate coating.
- How do you make Pecan Balls? The filling is made on the stovetop per the recipe. Next, you’ll need to use a small scoop to roll the filling into balls. To dip in chocolate, I find it helpful to 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 we’re making lifelong memories, too.
- When making these no bake 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 while still wet.
- If you desire, you could also roll pecan balls with powdered sugar as a coating.
- 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 time saver, you can make these Pecan Balls up to one week in advance and store chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Take them out of the fridge before serving and allow time to come to room temperature so the filling can soften just a bit.
More Irresistible Bite-Size Desserts to Make
- Other delicious desserts made with Karo you may like to try are these Chocolate Dipped Scotcheroos Bon Bons and Caramel Pecan Turtle Scotcheroos for your holiday goodies.
- Sweet and Salty Crockpot Candy utilizes your crockpot to gently melt the ingredients together.
- Triple Chocolate Potato Chip Bark is for the sweet and salty fans in your life.
- Southern Divinity Candy is a holiday must-make.
- Toffee Peanut Clusters are perfect for gift giving.
- No bake Bourbon Balls.
- Easy S’mores Candy Bark can be made and broken into pieces for snacking.
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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.
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.
How wonderful, I agree these are ideal for shipping.
What are toffei bits
They can be found on the baking aisle of most grocery stores. Also referred to as Bits-o-Brickle.
Can these be frozen?
Great question! I haven’t frozen them but, think they likely would do well.
Served these up at my bunco party, they were gone before the dice started to roll.
These are absolutely addictive! My kids loved these!
So good! My family will love these for dessert during the holidays!
These are so good. Love them for the holidays!
Covering them in chocolate is the best idea!
Such a great edible holiday gift. And thanks for those step by step photos. Having a visual was so helpful.
This is such an easy dessert and my GO-TO for the holidays!
These are the perfect treat for the Holidays! So pretty and absolutely scrumptious!
Nobody can resist these pecan balls.
These were SO delicious and addicting that I had to hide them from myself! Perfect for holiday gifting!
Thank you Melissa! I look forward to making these over the holidays. I also saved the recipe to Pinterest.
Thank you Eva!
How do you toast the pecans. I didn’t see that in the instructions.
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.