This bourbon balls recipe is the Kentucky bourbon balls I learned to make in culinary school. 5 ingredients are all you need to make hand-made homemade balls for the holiday season.
This holiday treat is something my family makes each year to give out as a homemade holiday food gift. This year we added soft, salted caramels to the cookie. New to my cookie tray this year will be Biscoff Butter Cookies.
- These are sent to the office every year and EVERYONE asks for the recipe.
- This batch makes a LOT of balls (75 in fact!) but this recipe can be halved or doubled.
So delicious! A good strong bourbon flavor, but not overwhelming. These are way better than any store-bought ones I have had.
★★★★★ ~ Leigh M
Ingredients needed for old fashioned bourbon pecan balls:
Recipe Card?
To find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions CLICK HERE to go to the recipe card.
Ingredient notes:
- Pecans - chopped and toasted to add extra nutty flavor. Save some for chopped pecans for garnish.
- Bourbon - use your favorite brand but we all know good bourbon comes from Kentucky. We usually have Maker's mark or Woodford Reserve on our bar cart.
- Powdered sugar - also known as 10x sugar or confectioners sugar. Read up on other Baking definitions.
- Butter - I use salted butter but you are welcome to use sweet cream butter. I think the touch of salt helps balance the sweetness.
- Chocolate - I am using chocolate chips to coat the pecan balls. Other coating chocolate or black chocolate can also be used.
Garnishes
- Pecan half - use a pecan half for the garnish if you are feeling extra fancy but a broking piece will work as well.
- Flake Salt - totally optional but salt is the perfect complement to chocolate.
- Decorative chocolate transfer sheets - when dipping the balls into chocolate, rest them on the transfer sheet. Once set, the decorative chocolate will adhere to the bottom of the ball.
- Cocoa Powder - dusting of dark cocoa powder makes for a simple topping.
Substitutions
- Pecans - walnuts
- Bourbon - rum
- Chocolate - white chocolate
How to make bourbon balls
- Chop the pecans and measure out one cup. Toast the pecans for an added layer of flavor.
- Soak the nuts in the bourbon for a minimum of 2 hours. Overnight if you have the time to get that good bourbon flavor throughout the chopped nuts.
- Cream together the softened butter and the powdered sugar.
- Add in the soaked pecans and bourbon.
- Mix until combined. Check to make sure the consistency of the dough is not too sticky or too dry.
- It should form a ball when squeezed.
- Using a medium scoop, portion out the dough onto a clean baking sheet.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll the bourbon balls to a smooth ball.
- Return to the fridge and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate over a double boiler, being sure not to burn the chocolate.
- Dip each ball into the chocolate, coating the entire ball, tap to remove excess, and place on parchment paper or the decorative chocolate transfer sheet.
- While the chocolate is still soft, garnish with a piece of pecan and a sprinkle of flake salt.
- Return to the refrigerator until the chocolate sets.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Did you make this recipe?
Do you have feedback that would be helpful to others? If so can help this small business owner by leaving a rating and a review in the comments section? Thank you for being part of the Savoring The Good Community. ~ Sarah
How to store bourbon balls
Store the finished Kentucky bourbon balls recipes in an air-tight container. I use the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers because they truly are air-tight.
I also store them in the refrigerator. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor profile.
Seasonal Favorite
This is the best homemade seedless black raspberry jam recipe made with fresh or frozen black raspberries.
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
It would take a LOT of bourbon balls to get a grown adult drunk. The ratio of alcohol to other ingredients will not get you intoxicated. You probably would get throw up sick before you got drunk.
This recipe for bourbon balls is a no-bake recipe. There is no heat and the alcohol is not cooked out of the balls.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup (109 g) chopped pecans
- 1 Cup (236 ⅗ ml) bourbon
- ¾ Cup (170 ¼ g) Butter
- 3 Pounds (1 ⅓ kg) Powdered Sugar
- 32 oz (907 ⅕ g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Chop the pecans and measure out one cup. Toast the pecans for an added layer of flavor.1 Cup (109 g) chopped pecans
- Soak the nuts in the bourbon for a minimum of 2 hours. Overnight if you have the time.1 Cup (236 ⅗ ml) bourbon
- Cream together the softened butter and the powdered sugar.¾ Cup (170 ¼ g) Butter, 3 Pounds (1 ⅓ kg) Powdered Sugar
- Add in the soaked pecans and bourbon.
- Mix until combined. Check to make sure the consistency of the dough is not too sticky or too dry.
- It should form a ball when squeezed.
- Using a medium scoop, portion out the dough onto a clean baking sheet.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll the bourbon balls to a smooth ball. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate over a double boiler, being sure not to burn the chocolate.32 oz (907 ⅕ g) chocolate chips
- Dip each ball into the chocolate, coating the entire ball, tap to remove excess, and place on parchment paper or the decorative chocolate transfer sheet.
- While the chocolate is still soft, garnish with a piece of pecan and a sprinkle of flake salt.
- Return to the refrigerator until the chocolate sets.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Denise Jiggetts says
These are excellent! I took them to a gathering and I came home with and empty container! A couple of suggestions-freeze the balls after you roll them into balls. That way they wont melt when you dip them in the melted chocolate. Also I had to thin the chocolate with coconut oil because it was a bit thick.
I will be making these again!!! Super yummilicious!!!
Leigh Mousley says
So delicious! A good strong bourbon flavor, but not overwhelming. These are way better than any store bought ones I have had.
I did add extra powdered sugar for a thicker dough, but that’s just personal preference.
Sarah Mock says
Thank you so much for the feedback! I love hearing when people love the recipes I share.
Sarah
Sharon Garofalow says
I want theses. Yum.