Bourbon Balls

5 from 1 vote

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

Additional Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

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

Servings: 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