Description
Kentucky bourbon balls showcase a rich southern dessert tradition with classic whiskey-infused chocolate truffles. Smooth chocolate and nutty pecans combine for an irresistible holiday treat you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (about 1 box) crushed vanilla wafers
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup (120 ml) bourbon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) light corn syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons (10 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- Extra powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or finely chopped nuts for rolling
Instructions
- Preparation: Crush vanilla wafers into fine, uniform crumbs and finely chop nuts to create a consistent texture and enhance flavor distribution.
- Mixing Dry Components: Combine crushed wafers, chopped nuts, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough integration of ingredients.
- Liquid Incorporation: Whisk bourbon and corn syrup together, then gradually pour over dry ingredients, stirring methodically to achieve a cohesive, moldable mixture.
- Shaping: Using clean hands, gently form the mixture into compact, one-inch spheres, maintaining uniform size and shape.
- Coating and Finishing: Roll bourbon balls in selected coating—powdered sugar, additional cocoa powder, or finely ground nuts—creating an elegant exterior.
- Chilling and Storage: Arrange coated bourbon balls on a parchment-lined tray, refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to develop rich flavors, then transfer to an airtight container. Maintain in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Control Moisture Carefully: Ensure the mixture is not too wet or dry; adjust with small amounts of bourbon or wafer crumbs to achieve perfect binding consistency.
- Uniform Size Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create consistent bourbon ball sizes for even texture and professional presentation.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Allow bourbon balls to rest in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to let flavors meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customize Coating Options: Experiment with alternative coatings like crushed pecans, toasted coconut, or melted chocolate to add personal flair and texture variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 151
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg