Bourbon Balls Bite Size Desserts
Delicious bourbon balls are a Southern staple. They’re easy, no-bake mini desserts that you make ahead! They also make terrific party favors and hostess gifts at holidays. Add them to adult parties for Kentucky Derby, Mardi Gras, or a cocktail party.
No Bake Dessert
If you’re a Southerner or just like to drink like one, then this bourbon balls recipe is for you! We love our bourbon and when it comes in a sweet dessert form it’s a win-win situation.
For best flavor you’ll want to make these at least 24 hours ahead so they can set. Plus, I recommend giving them a second powdered coating to make them look nice.
- Bourbon balls are great for holidays and Christmas parties.
- They make terrific hostess gifts or party favors when packaged in small gift boxes or bags.
- They’re easier to make than truffles, and you can add them to your dessert table in addition to other offerings.
When to Serve Them
They are the perfect small bite of sweetness for many occasions.
- They’re a must for a Kentucky Derby party.
- Add them to the table when setting up a Bourbon Bar.
- They make a perfect addition to Mardi Gras parties.
- They travel well making them ideal for game day or tailgating parties.
- And for more savory bites, make these bourbon meatballs
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Vanilla Wafer. You can also use graham crackers.
- Pecans. Substitute with almonds or walnuts if you like.
- Powdered Sugar. Make sure to use confectioners sugar and not granulated sugar.
- Cocoa Powder. Use unsweetened cocoa found in the baking aisle.
- Bourbon. It’s best to use a tasty bourbon that you enjoy drinking. You can experiment with flavors too, like Maple bourbon or Honey bourbon.
- Light Corn Syrup. This sweet and sticky, and helps bind everything together.
You’ll need extra cocoa powder and powdered sugar to coat the bourbon balls. You can also melt chocolate to dip them in!
How To Make Bourbon Balls
- Pulse cookies and nuts in a food processor to get a crumb consistency.
- Combine crumb mixture, sugar, cocoa, bourbon and corn syrup together in a large bowl.
- Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and form into 1-inch balls.
- Roll each ball into a coating of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or dip into melted chocolate, and set on wax paper to set.
- Place in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. Then give them a second coat of sugar or cocoa powder. After sitting overnight in the refrigerator the original coating can absorb into the ball. The second coating keeps them looking pretty and also helps prevent the evaporation of the alcohol.
When these are first made you can definitely detect the alcohol and your tongue will tingle. After a day or two they mellow out and become smooth. They are traditionally meant to set for a week before consuming, but good luck waiting that long!
Storage
Seal these in an air tight container or zipper bag and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Once they are set you should store them in a sealed container in a cool dark place like a pantry, for up to a month. If you keep them refrigerated they begin to dry out.
More Bite-Size Dessert Recipes
When it comes to parties, small desserts are the way to go! Here are some favorite sweets to serve.
Making bourbon balls is so easy and I know you’ll enjoy them at holidays and theme parties.
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Bourbon Balls Recipe
This Bourbon Balls Recipe makes delicious bite-size desserts for holiday entertaining or gift giving. They're great all year round as a sweet treat or adult party favor. Make them for Kentucky Derby or Mardi Gras parties too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Vanilla Wafers cookies crumbs (pulse about 30 wafers in a food processor to get them crushed)
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and crushed (pulse them with the cookies)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup good quality bourbon
- 1 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup each, cocoa powder and powdered sugar for coating.
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, pecans, sugar, and cocoa. Add bourbon and corn syrup and mix well until moistened.
- Use a mini scoop for the perfect size and roll into bite size balls, about 1-inch diameter. Roll into cocoa powder or powdered sugar for coating and place on wax paper to set. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Store in air tight container in the refrigerator overnight to set and firm up. Then roll them in the powdered sugar or cocoa powder coating again; the first coating will partially seep into the bourbon balls.
- Once these have set for a day or two in the refrigerator, you can store them at room temperature.
Notes
You can nibble on these for about a month when you store them in a cool dark place. After that they begin to dry out.
As an alternative coating you can dip each ball into melted chocolate and chill to set.
