Chocolate Bourbon Balls are a perfect adult treat for the holiday season. Made with real bourbon, cookie crumbs, and pecans, these delicious sweets require no baking and are simple to prepare!
Be aware that this recipe is NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN! It includes 1/4 cup of bourbon, so ensure it is kept away from any snacks that your kids or grandkids might consume!Â
This great recipe came to me from my mother-in-law! Yes, you read that right, my sweet mother-in-law loved this boozy treat! Her son, my husband, is also a lover of bourbon and these Chocolate Bourbon Balls! The easy recipe is simple to make and they come together quickly and require no baking! I had them ready in about 30 minutes!Â
A little history about Bourbon Balls, Ruth Hanly Booe created the original recipe for Kentucky Bourbon Balls in 1938. The idea came from a comment made by a dignitary at a local celebration in 1936 who said "the best tastes in the world were Mrs. Booe's candies and fine Kentucky bourbon."
These bite-sized homemade treats, available in numerous variations, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors and they are all delicious!
What You Need
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Light Corn Syrup
Bourbon
White Sugar
Vanilla Wafer Cookies
Pecans
Chocolate Sprinkles
Tips for Making Chocolate Bourbon Balls
If you have a favorite bourbon, you can use it in these bourbon balls. I use Woodford Reserve in my recipe.Â
If you prefer to make Bourbon balls without nuts, substitute an additional 1 cup Vanilla Wafer crumbs for the nuts.Â
Decorate with by dipping in chocolate or dipping in chocolate sprinkles/holiday sprinkles; you will enjoy the sweet taste with the full bourbon flavor.
Other Delicious Holiday Treats
How to Make Chocolate Bourbon Balls
This delicious treat is a great gift for your bourbon loving friends, serving at your holiday party or a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!
Step 1: Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside. Using a food processor, or a ziptop bag and rolling pin, separately crush the vanilla wafter and then the pecans and set aside. Note, if you prefer to have large pieces of pecans, you might want to chop with a knife or nut chopper.
Step 2: In a medium microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips at 30 second intervals, mixing after each cook time, until smooth and creamy. Add the light corn syrup, white sugar, and bourbon to the melted chocolate and mix well. Add in the dry ingredients (vanilla wafer fine crumbs and pecans) and mix until all ingredients are fully combined.Â
Above Left: Chocolate Chips ready to be melted and Above Right: All ingredients ready to be combined.
Step 3: Portion the dough balls by tablespoon (small cookie scoop) and roll in to 1-inch balls. Immediately roll the smooth ball in the chocolate sprinkles or topping of your choice. Transfer to the parchment paper lined baking sheet, to a storage container (for storage in the refrigerator) OR enjoy immediately!Â
Above Left: Mixture ready to roll into balls and Above Right: Chocolate Bourbon Balls rolled in chocolate sprinkles.
How to Store Chocolate Bourbon Balls
This simple recipe may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. For longer storage, place the Chocolate Bourbon Balls in a freezer-safe bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.Â
Enjoy these delicious homemade bourbon balls that have the best flavor on Christmas Eve or New Years Eve with adult family and friends! They are Forkin' Good!Â
Click the below button to take you to the full recipe card (or for a printable recipe card) that includes nutritional information.Â
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