Go Back
Print

Bourbon Balls

Delicious confections of cookie crumbs, nuts, and bourbon, or walnut liquor. Coated in crunchy sprinkles. Perfect for any sweet occasion. These are very easy and quick to make.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 36 balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 2 cup vanilla wafers
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup or golden syrup
  • 1/4 cup bourbon or black walnut bourbon liquor

Coating

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

or

  • ½ cup red and white sprinkles or any color for the season.

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat set aside.
  2. Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup powdered sugar, or the ½ cup sprinkles to a small bowl, set aside.
  3. In a food processor, add vanilla wafers and crush until completely crumbled.
  4. Add the pecans and process until finely and evenly chopped. You can process until very fine if you want no crunch of the pecans. But I like a bit of texture, so I leave them with visible but even small pieces.
  5. Transfer crumbled pecan wafer mixture to a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup powdered sugar, then use a spoon to mix together until cocoa and wafer mixture are thoroughly combined. It’s ok if there are bits of powdered sugar visible, they will dissolve into the bourbon balls with the bourbon.
  6. Mix in the light corn syrup (or golden syrup) and the bourbon and stir to combine. If needed, you can use your hands to knead the dough to finish mixing.
  7. Using a 1 teaspoon cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out dough and roll it between your hands to form a 1-inch ball. Drop the ball in the small bowl of cocoa sugar mixture or sprinkles and roll to coat. Place finished candy ball on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this step until all dough has been used.

  8. Place the baking sheet in the fridge so the bourbon balls can set. Or in the freezer.

  9. For best results, keep candies refrigerated until ready to serve. You can reroll them in powdered sugar just before serving if the balls have absorbed the coating. But do not reroll in powdered sugar if using the sprinkles.