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Bourbon Balls

Our traditional Southern recipe for Bourbon Balls is so deliciously festive, once you try them, you’re sure to make them a part of your holiday traditions!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Bourbon Balls, Bourbon Balls Recipe, How do I make Bourbon Balls recipe, How to make Bourbon Balls recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 pieces
Calories 224kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

Cookies:

  • 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 (16-ounce) package confectioners' sugar

Topping:

  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
  • 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped

Instructions

  • Add the chopped pecans to a small bowl. Pour whiskey over pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to soak for a minimum of overnight, or for best results, 3-5 of days. 
  • Stir the pecans occasionally to make sure they all get a chance to soak up the bourbon. If the bourbon gets soaked up before you're ready to make these, I top them off with extra bourbon. 
  • Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
  • Add butter to a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the butter until it is creamy. Gradually add in powdered sugar, beat until the mixture is dry and crumbly, like coarse sand. Stir in soaked pecans. 
  • Form dough into 3/4 inch balls and set on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate overnight.
  • Add chocolate chips and vegetable shortening to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir vigorously. Continue as needed, heating for 30-second intervals and stirring until melted.
  • Poke a toothpick a 1/4 inch into the top of each ball. Dip in melted chocolate and cover the ball completely, in chocolate, using a spoon as needed to cover the top with chocolate.  
  • Return the chocolate covered ball to the tray so the chocolate can set. Remove toothpicks and dab a little melted chocolate on the top to cover the toothpick hole.
  • Sprinkle top with a few chopped pecans. Continue with the rest of the balls. Place in the fridge overnight to set completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/24 of the recipe | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 12mg