Bourbon Balls

Course Candy, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword best-bourbon-balls-recipe, bourbon-balls-recipe, kentucky-bourbon-balls, southern-bourbon-balls

Prep Time 20

Chill time 8

Total Time 8 20

Servings bourbon balls

Calories 127kcal

1 1/2 cups roughly chopped pecans (Plus 18-20 pecan halves for garnishing) toasted
2 11.3 oz packages pecan shortbread cookies i.e. Pecan Sandies
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup Bourbon
1/2 cup salted butter melted
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups semi sweet or milk chocolate baking chips
1 Tbsp solid vegetable shortening
1/3 cup toffee bits (bits-o-brickle) for garnishing
1 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Spread chopped pecans and pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in a preheated 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Crush pecan shortbread cookies using a food processor until fine crumbs. Add to a mixing bowl with chopped pecans and powdered sugar. Mix together.
In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together Kentucky Bourbon, butter, corn syrup and vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour into crumbs and mix until fully moistened.
Transfer to an airtight container and chill for 4 hours or overnight to set.
Bourbon Balls Mixture: Remove from fridge. Roll into 1-inch balls. (Similar to a meatball.) Place onto a parchment lined sheet pan and keep chilled, or pop into the freezer, while working in batches to coat.
Chocolate: Melt chocolate with vegetable shortening in a double boiler over gently simmering water until stirring until smooth.
Use two forks or a toothpick to dip the balls into the chocolate to coat. Place onto a sheet pan lined with parchment or wax paper. Immediately top half with a single pecan and sprinkle the tops of the remaining bourbon balls with toffee bits. Chill until set.
Powdered Sugar Coating: Pour 1 cup powdered sugar into a shallow dish or small bowl. Roll one third of bourbon balls in powdered sugar until coated on all sides.
Store chilled in an airtight container for 3-5 days before serving.
Store Bourbon Balls chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Due to the amount of moisture in the filling, it's necessary for the filling to chill and solidify before rolling into balls. Don't expect to be able to form into rounds immediately, allow ample time for chilling.
I recommend separating into thirds. One third is rolled in powdered sugar, then the rest are dipped in chocolate. Sprinkle the tops of one third with toffee bits and remaining with a pecan halves. You can also roll some in unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut shreds or additional nuts.
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.
Bourbon balls must be kept chilled until just before dipping in chocolate or rolling in powdered sugar. If you're working in batches, keep them chilled until you're ready to work with them.