Description
Bourbon Balls are a delightful no-bake treat combining crushed vanilla wafer cookies, toasted pecans, cocoa, and powdered sugar, all infused with rich bourbon and vanilla flavors. Rolled into bite-sized balls and coated in powdered sugar, these sweets are perfect for parties or holiday gatherings and require minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 (11-ounce) package vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- powdered sugar for coating
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavoring
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Instructions
- Crush the Cookies: Use a food processor or food chopper to crush the vanilla wafer cookies into fine crumbs. Alternatively, place the cookies in a large zip-top bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to break them up finely.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the crushed cookie crumbs, finely chopped toasted pecans, unsweetened cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Stir well to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, vanilla extract, and light corn syrup until fully blended.
- Form the Dough: Pour the bourbon mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir thoroughly. Continue mixing until the mixture forms a thick, cohesive dough.
- Shape the Balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out about 1 tablespoon of the dough each. Roll the portions between your palms to make roughly 1-inch diameter balls.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Place powdered sugar in a medium bowl, then roll each bourbon ball in the sugar to coat completely. This will create a sweet outer layer and prevent sticking.
- Chill: Transfer the coated bourbon balls to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least one hour to set and enhance flavors.
- Store: Keep the bourbon balls refrigerated in an airtight container. They will keep well for up to two weeks, making them great for make-ahead treats.
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger bourbon flavor, you can adjust the bourbon quantity slightly, but be cautious not to make the dough too wet.
- Light corn syrup helps to bind the ingredients and add a slight sweetness; you can substitute with honey if needed, but the texture may vary.
- These bourbon balls do not require cooking, making them a quick and easy option when you want no-bake sweets.
- For a nut-free version, substitute chopped toasted pecans with crushed pretzels or omit them completely.
- Allow enough chilling time to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up.
