These easy, no-bake Bourbon Balls are a perfect way to add a little festive flavor to your holiday! Vanilla wafers, pecans, a hint of chocolate, and bourbon combine to create a potent little treat that’s perfect for gift-giving, holiday parties, and more!
From the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper, Christmas at our house wasn’t complete without whipping up a batch of Dad’s favorite bourbon balls. This tradition was nestled right alongside making things like our famous Martha Washington Candy and the crunchiest peanut brittle you ever did taste.
The secret to these bourbon balls? An old community cookbook that Mom stumbled upon years ago – and let me tell you, we’ve been faithfully following that recipe ever since!
What are bourbon balls?
These bourbon balls are a delightful confection, a real treat straight from the heart of Kentucky. Picture this: a smooth, sweet center made with a mix of crushed nuts (usually pecans), powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a splash of bourbon, all rolled into a bite-sized ball. Then, to add a little extra magic, these little truffles are rolled in a little more powdered sugar, giving them a decadent finish.
They’re like little morsels of Southern hospitality, perfectly blending the warmth of bourbon with the sweetness of sugar and chocolate. They’re ideal for holidays, celebrations, or just because!
How long will bourbon balls keep?
Typically, bourbon balls can last up to two weeks, as long as they’re stored in the fridge in an airtight container. This is because the bourbon acts as a natural preservative.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re really planning ahead or maybe want to surprise yourself with a treat down the road, bourbon balls can be frozen for up to three months. Just make sure they’re wrapped snuggly and stored in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature, and voilà – it’s like a little taste of the holidays, no matter the season.
Can I swap the bourbon for rum or another liquor?
Absolutely, you can swap out the bourbon in bourbon balls for another liquor, and let me tell you, it’s a fun way to put your own spin on this classic treat! Think about the flavor profile you’re aiming for and choose a liquor that complements it. You’ll just swap the bourbon for the same amount of another liquor. Here are a few spirited suggestions:
- Rum: For a bit of a tropical twist, light or dark rum can be added. Dark rum can add a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
- Whiskey: If you’re a fan of the original but just want to try a new whiskey variety, this is a great option. Each type brings its own unique character.
- Brandy: This offers a fruity and slightly floral note, which can be a delightful change.
- Amaretto: For a nuttier, sweeter flavor, amaretto is a fantastic choice.
The key is to maintain the balance of flavors. Remember, the liquor isn’t just for a kick; it’s an integral part of the harmony of tastes. And hey, experimenting with flavors is half the fun in the kitchen!
Can I get drunk from bourbon balls?
First off, let’s remember that bourbon balls typically contain bourbon (as the name suggests), along with other ingredients like chocolate, chopped pecans, and sugar. The amount of bourbon in each ball isn’t usually a lot, but it’s enough to give them that distinct bourbon flavor.
Since these bourbon balls are no-bake, the alcohol in bourbon balls isn’t cooked off, as it might be in other recipes where booze is used. This means that the alcohol content remains pretty much intact in the finished product. However, you’d likely need to eat a lot of them to really feel the effects of the alcohol, because each ball contains only a small amount of bourbon.
Think of it like this: if you were trying to catch a buzz from bourbon balls alone, you’d probably end up in a sugar coma long before you felt any real tipsy effects from the alcohol. Plus, you’d have to contend with a pretty significant stomachache from all that rich, sweet goodness.
While there’s technically alcohol in bourbon balls, the amount is usually so small per ball that you’re unlikely to actually get drunk from them. They’re more about savoring that delicious hint of bourbon flavor than anything else. Enjoy them responsibly, and maybe keep a glass of milk handy to balance out all that sweetness!
Recipe Card
Bourbon Balls
Ingredients
- 1 (11-ounce) package vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavoring
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Use a food processor or food chopper to crush the cookies to fine crumbs. You can also put the cookies in a large ziptop bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to finely crush the cookies.
- Add the cookie crumbs, pecans, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, vanilla, and corn syrup together. Add the bourbon mixture to the cookie crumb mixture and stir to combine and a thick dough forms.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure out 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll into roughly 1-inch balls.
- Place the powdered sugar in a medium bowl and roll the bourbon balls in the powdered sugar to coat. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Store the bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Bonnie Ransome
Stacey, these bourbon balls are AMAZING! They’re so easy and so delicious. They were a hit with everyone, especially my son-in-law. I’ve made a second batch just for him. Not being a huge bourbon fan, I noticed the flavors were more incorporated after sitting overnight and even a day or so later. Just plain delicious. This will be going in “My Favs” section of my recipe book.
I’m so glad to hear you loved them! Sounds like your son-in-law has great taste. Letting them sit really does bring the flavors together—it’s like magic! Honored they’ve made it into your recipe book. Thanks for sharing!
Karen C.
These bourbon balls are amazing and so easy to make. I also made a second batch with rum dusted with cocoa powder. Awesome! Just got your cookbook for Christmas and can’t wait to get started trying your recipes! Thank you for sharing your family fans. Simplicity at it’s very best especially when shared with friends and family.
Thank you so much! I love the idea of making a rum version—sounds fantastic. I’m thrilled you got the cookbook and can’t wait to hear which recipes you try first. Cooking for friends and family really is the best. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing!
make your cookbook
Nice recipe.
Thanks!
Fiona_Sheh
Have you ever tried spiking your Bourbon Balls with a different type of alcohol, like rum or tequila, to give them an extra kick? How did it turn out and would you recommend it to others?
I haven’t tried it, but it sounds like a fun twist! Rum or tequila could add a unique kick—definitely worth experimenting. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Danica
Delicious! These are so easy and they’ve become a holiday staple for parties & gift-giving!
That’s great to hear, Danica!
Janice
I got tickled at the question “Can I get Drunk from eating the Bourbon Balls”? I used to make these only using quite a bit more alcohol (Wild Turkey 101), I would make them at least a week ahead in an air tight container. Everyone who tried/ate them would get flush after eating a few including myself. Always a requested treat during the holidays. I’m going to give your recipe a try. Thank you for sharing this. I had lost my recipe.
Ha! Your Wild Turkey version sounds like it packed a punch! I hope my recipe brings back some of those holiday memories. Thanks for giving it a try, and happy bourbon ball making!
Cindy
Hi Stacey! I made your Chocolate Chess Pie recently, & it was a hit! Could you recommend a Bourbon brand to use in the Bourbon Balls?
Thanks so much!
So happy to hear the Chocolate Chess Pie was a hit! For the bourbon balls, I usually go with something smooth like Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve. But honestly, any good-quality bourbon you enjoy will work great.
Louisette
Hi,
Being allergic to all nuts, can I omit the pecans or replace them with something else? I sure hope so cause these look so good.
You can swap the pecans for 1 cup of finely chopped pretzels. Hope that helps!
Heather
I’ve used this recipe a few times and is always a hit! I knew my grandkids would want some as well so I just used a tablespoon extra vanilla and apple juice in place of the bourbon. You can’t really taste the apple juice and everyone loves them!
Thanks for the tips, Heather! So glad y’all have enjoyed them!
Sylvia Phillips
Is there something that is non alcoholic that can be substituted for the bourbon in the Bourbon Balls and them still taste great?
I’m honestly not sure. I suppose you could use rum flavoring with some other liquid, but the main appeal of these, I think, is the bourbon. If you’re looking for something similar but without the bourbon, I think I’d look at my Pecan Log recipe. It’s has very similar ingredients, but swaps the bourbon out and uses sweetened condensed milk. Plus, you can roll that dough into balls instead of logs and coat them in powdered sugar just like these.
Teresa
You can purchase bourbon extract from Amazon. I haven’t used it but several recipes suggest adding it to baked goods, sauces, jams, etc. You should be able to get the flavor without the alcohol. Plus it is way cheaper than the non-alcoholic brands with a short shelf life.
Thanks, Teresa! Do you have a link? I looked online and can’t find a bourbon extract anywhere – just rum.
julie chavez
Can you switch out vanilla wafers for biscoff cookie crumbs?
Well this just blew my mind! YES! I think you 100% could and I think that would be AMAZINGLY delicious!