Cozy Christmas Joy: Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Recipe

These decadent bourbon balls showcase a Southern delicacy that dances with rich, intoxicating flavors.

Nutty, chocolatey, and delightfully boozy, this no-bake confection transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Whiskey-infused crumbs mingle with velvety chocolate, creating a sophisticated bite-sized indulgence.

Each morsel promises a burst of complex flavor that tingles the taste buds.

Home cooks have long cherished this recipe, passing down generations of sweet, spirited traditions.

Crafted with love and a splash of bourbon, these irresistible balls offer a delectable escape from the ordinary.

Get ready to elevate your dessert game with this mouthwatering Southern classic.

Bourbon Balls Ingredient Checklist

• Vanilla Wafer Cookies: Choose crisp, fresh cookies for the best crumbly texture.
• Pecans: Select whole, plump pecans with a rich, buttery aroma for maximum flavor.

• Bourbon: Pick a smooth, quality bourbon that complements dessert's richness.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures glossy, smooth texture and helps bind ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure extract for deep, authentic vanilla notes.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Dark Chocolate: Select high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content.
• Coconut Oil: Helps create silky, glossy chocolate coating.
• Pecan Halves: Choose whole, unblemished pecans for elegant garnish.

• Cocoa Powder: Select Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper, smoother chocolate flavor.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Provides smooth sweetness and helps bind mixture.

Tools You’ll Use for Rolling Bourbon Balls

• Food Processor: Powerful kitchen tool to finely crumble cookies and pecans.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for measuring small ingredient quantities.
• Mixing Bowl: Large container for combining all ingredients.
• Baking Sheet: Flat surface for chilling and setting bourbon balls.
• Parchment Paper: Non-stick lining to prevent sticking.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate smoothly.
• Two Forks: Perfect for dipping and coating bourbon balls with chocolate.
• Refrigerator: Crucial for chilling and setting bourbon balls.
• Airtight Container: Ideal for storing finished bourbon balls.

How to Mix and Shape Bourbon Balls

• Crush and Mix Ingredients

Pulverize cookies and pecans in a food processor until finely ground. Blend in remaining components, pulsing until the mixture becomes sticky and cohesive.

• Shape Delectable Treats

Roll the mixture into smooth, bite-sized spheres using your palms. Arrange the balls on a parchment-lined tray and quickly chill to set their shape.

• Create Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate with a touch of coconut oil in the microwave, stirring occasionally until silky and glossy. Work quickly to maintain the perfect consistency.

• Dunk and Decorate

Gently immerse each chilled ball into the molten chocolate, allowing excess to drip away. Top immediately with a single pecan half for a crunchy finish.

• Chill and Store

Place the chocolate-covered bourbon balls back in the refrigerator to firm up completely. Once set, transfer to an airtight container for safekeeping and enjoying later.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 30

Tips for Strong or Subtle Bourbon Flavor

• Boost Your Bourbon Balls: Expert Tips and Twists
• Precision Mixing: Pulse ingredients carefully to prevent over-processing, which can make the mixture too dense and tough.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate bourbon balls between steps to maintain firm texture and make dipping easier, helping chocolate adhere smoothly.
• Flavor Adventure: Swap bourbon with rum, amaretto, or whiskey for unique taste profiles that transform the classic recipe into a personalized treat.
• Decorative Drizzle: After coating with chocolate, sprinkle crushed pecans, edible gold dust, or cocoa powder for elegant and eye-catching presentation.

How to Serve Bourbon Balls at Parties

• Pair with Boozy Dessert Drinks: Complement these bourbon balls with classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan to enhance the bourbon flavor profile.
• Garnish with Festive Touches: Sprinkle crushed pecans or drizzle white chocolate over the bourbon balls for an elegant and decorative presentation during holiday gatherings.
• Create Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange bourbon balls alongside other bite-sized treats like chocolate truffles and mini cheesecake bites for a sophisticated dessert spread that will impress guests.
• Gift in Elegant Packaging: Package these bourbon balls in small decorative boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a delightful homemade gift for bourbon and chocolate lovers.

How to Store Bourbon Balls Without Drying

• Preserve Freshness: Store bourbon balls in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate structure.
• Refrigeration Rules: Keep these treats chilled at 40°F or below, where they'll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks without losing their rich bourbon-infused flavor.
• Freezing Freedom: Wrap bourbon balls individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to extend their shelf life up to 3 months for long-term enjoyment.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bourbon balls up to 5 days before serving, allowing flavors to intensify and develop a more complex taste profile while maintaining their perfect texture.

Irresistible Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 30 1x

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Description

Heirloom Kentucky bourbon balls combine rich chocolate and spirited whiskey for a classic holiday dessert. Dark chocolate and crushed pecans create delectable southern charm you can savor in one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 oz (170 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 ¼ cups (150 g) pecan halves
• 3 ½ cups (840 ml) vanilla wafer cookies (about 70–80 cookies), such as Nilla Wafers
• ¼ cup (60 ml) bourbon
• ¼ cup (60 ml) dark corn syrup
• ⅓ cup (30 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup (40 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
• 25 pecan halves for topping
• Pinch of kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Pulverize: Crush vanilla wafers and pecans in a food processor until achieving a fine, consistent crumb texture.
2. Blend Mixture: Combine cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, bourbon, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt with the crumb base, mixing until the ingredients create a moldable, slightly sticky dough that holds together effortlessly.
3. Shape Spheres: Craft compact, uniform 1-inch bourbon balls by gently rolling the mixture between your palms, ensuring smooth, tightly compressed surfaces that maintain structural integrity.
4. Chill Preparation: Arrange the formed bourbon balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate briefly to firm up the mixture, preparing them for the chocolate coating process.
5. Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring carefully between 30-second intervals to create a silky, glossy chocolate mixture without burning.
6. Dip and Decorate: Submerge each chilled bourbon ball into the melted chocolate using two forks, allowing excess to drip off, and immediately top with a single pecan half for an elegant garnish.
7. Final Set: Return the chocolate-covered bourbon balls to the refrigerator for a quick 5-minute chill, allowing the coating to harden into a crisp, lustrous shell that showcases the delicate confection.

Notes

• Crumb Precision: Pulse cookies and pecans until they reach a fine, uniform texture to ensure smooth, well-integrated bourbon balls.
• Consistency Check: Mix ingredients until the dough becomes slightly tacky and holds its shape easily, preventing crumbly or dry results.
• Chill for Structure: Refrigerate bourbon balls before and after chocolate coating to maintain their shape and enhance chocolate adhesion.
• Chocolate Dipping Technique: Use two forks for clean, even chocolate coating and minimal mess, ensuring professional-looking final presentation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 30
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg