Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls are a deliciously simple treat for the holidays. An easy recipe made with bourbon soaked pecans and buttery shortbread cookie filling dipped in chocolate.

Why You Will Love these Easy Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe

• Easy No Bake Treat: Bourbon balls are the perfect no-bake treat for a holiday cookie tray.
• Not Overly Sweet: This pecan version of bourbon balls is a little different. We skip the light corn syrup for honey or maple syrup and add in cookie crumbs to that it doesn’t  make your teeth hurt. There are many versions made with butter, powdered sugar and pecans that are delicious but so rich. 
• Great Homemade Gift: These bourbon balls are the perfect hostess gift or homemade gift for your friends and family. They are boozy, so best for adults but I think you’d have to eat the entire batch to get a buzz.

Ingredients for Kentucky Bourbon Balls

• Bourbon – We used Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve or your favorite brand.
• Toasted Pecans
• Butter
• Honey or Maple Syrup
• Shortbread Cookies or Vanilla Wafers
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Shortening

Step-By-Step Directions for Bourbon Pecan Balls

1. Soak the Pecans: Place 1 cup of pecans into jar and pour bourbon over the top. Cover and set aside at room temperature overnight, up to 24 hours. Chop remaining pecans and reserve for garnish.

2. Chop the Pecans: Drain the pecans and chop fine.

3. Cookie Crumbs: Chop the shortbread cookies into fine crumbs.

4. Make the Filling: In a mixer bowl, add softened butter and honey. Mix until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
5. Add cookie crumbs and chopped pecans to the butter mixture.
6. Beat until well combined.

7. Make into Balls: Use a cookie scoop to form into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
8. Freeze: Freeze for one hour.

9. Melt Chocolate: Add chocolate chips and shortening to a bowl and melt in the microwave or use a double boiler. Stir until smooth.
10. Dipping the Pecan Balls: Dip pecan balls into chocolate using a large tined fork. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off.

11. Return to the parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with a few pecan pieces.
12. Chill: Place baking sheet into the refrigerator for 1 hour or until chocolate is completely set.
13. Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator in a single layer.

Easy Bourbon Ball Variations

• Coating: Chilled Bourbon Balls can be rolled in cocoa powder or powdered sugar instead of dipping into melted chocolate coating. 
• Food Processor: For a finer filling texture, add pecans, butter, honey and cookie crumbs to a food processor and pulse until completely combined.
• Nut Free Version: Skip the pecans and add 2 tablespoons of bourbon into cookie crumb mixture.
• Garnishes: Top old fashioned bourbon balls with a pecan half, chocolate jimmies, sprinkles, or drizzle with dark chocolate.

How Long Will Bourbon Balls Stay Fresh?

Bourbon balls can be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Freeze in a freezer-safe container up to 3 months.

More Homemade Candy Recipes to Try

• Peanut Butter Truffles are so easy to make and they are so delicious. A great recipe made with Nutter Butter cookies and cream cheese dipped in chocolate.
• Peanut Butter Oreo Cookie Balls are a chocolate and peanut butter lovers dream. A fun twist on the classic Oreo truffle recipe and make wonderful gifts.
• Salted Caramel Mudslide Fudge is another boozy dessert that is simple irresistible. An easy recipe and a great addition for the holidays.
• Boozy Black Forrest Rum Balls from Life Currents are very similar to bourbon balls and are perfect for the holiday season. 
• Spiced Rum Balls from Feast + West are made with confectioner’s sugar and Biscoff cookies for an amazing holiday treat!

Make a batch of Bourbon Balls for an easy no bake candy that can be made ahead. They are a decadent treat to add to your Christmas cookie tray or holiday party.

If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a comment and a five star review. Help us share on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls are a deliciously simple treat for the holidays. An easy recipe made with bourbon soaked pecans and buttery shortbread cookie filling dipped in chocolate.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Additional Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Keyword: boozy bourbon balls, old-fashioned bourbon balls, pecan balls

Servings: 24 Bourbon Balls

Calories: 176kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Bourbon we used Jim Beam
• 1 1/4 cups toasted pecans divided (see notes for tips on toasting pecans)
• 3 cups 11 ounces shortbread cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 tablespoon shortening

Instructions

• Place 1 cup of pecans into jar and pour bourbon over the top. Cover and set aside at room temperature overnight, up to 24 hours. Chop remaining pecans and reserve for garnish.
• Drain the pecans and chop fine. 
• In a mixer bowl, add softened butter and honey. Mix until fluffy, about 2 minutes. 
• Chop the shortbread cookies into fine crumbs.
• Add cookie crumbs and chopped pecans to the butter mixture.
• Beat until well combined.
• Use a cookie scoop to form into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. 
• Freeze for one hour.
• Add chocolate chips and shortening to a bowl and melt in the microwave or use a double boiler. Stir until smooth.
• Dip pecan balls into chocolate using a large tined fork. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off. Return to the parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with a few pecan pieces. 
• Place baking sheet into the refrigerator for 1 hour or until chocolate is completely set. 

Notes

How to Toast Pecans: Preheat oven to 400°. Spread pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Turn off the oven when it reaches 400°. Place pecans in the oven (with the oven turned off) for 30 minutes or until oven is cooled. Store toasted pecans in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Variations:

• Coating: Chilled Bourbon Balls can be rolled in cocoa powder or powdered sugar instead of dipping into melted chocolate coating. 
• Food Processor: For a finer filling texture, add pecans, butter, honey and cookie crumbs to a food processor and pulse until completely combined.
• Nut Free Version: Skip the pecans and add 2 tablespoons of bourbon into cookie crumb mixture.
• Garnishes: Top old fashioned bourbon balls with a pecan half, chocolate jimmies, sprinkles, or drizzle with dark chocolate.

Storage:

Bourbon balls can be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Freeze in a freezer-safe container up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g