Chocolate Bourbon Balls (Printable)
No-bake chocolate-bourbon bites with pecans and powdered sugar; chill to set for a rich, Southern-inspired treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Mixture
01 - 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
02 - 1 cup finely chopped pecans
03 - 1 cup powdered sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
→ Wet Mixture
05 - 1/4 cup bourbon
06 - 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Coating
08 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
# Directions:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs, chopped pecans, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until well blended.
03 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until a sticky, cohesive dough forms and no dry pockets remain.
04 - Using your hands, roll tablespoon-sized portions of the dough into 1-inch balls, pressing firmly so they hold together.
05 - Roll each ball in powdered sugar, coating generously on all sides. Gently shake off any excess.
06 - Arrange the coated balls on a parchment-lined baking tray and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Zero baking required, which means your oven stays free and your kitchen stays cool during the busiest cooking weeks of the year.
- The bourbon flavor deepens over a few days, so making them ahead actually improves the taste.
- They look elegant enough for a gift tin but come together with pantry staples in about twenty minutes.
02 -
- If your dough feels too crumbly to hold a shape, add another teaspoon of corn syrup or bourbon and mix again before giving up.
- These contain real alcohol that does not fully evaporate since they are never baked, so they are strictly for adults.
- For a kid-friendly version, swap the bourbon for fresh orange juice and add a half teaspoon of orange zest for brightness.
03 -
- Chill the dough for fifteen minutes before rolling if your kitchen is warm, because firm dough is far easier to shape into neat balls.
- Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly so every ball is the same size and sets at the same rate.