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Classic No-Bake Kentucky Bourbon Balls

A close-up stack of rich, dark bourbon balls heavily coated in shredded white coconut flakes.
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Make these rich, boozy Kentucky Bourbon Balls without turning on your oven. They use simple ingredients like vanilla wafers and pecans for a decadent, easy-to-make Southern confection perfect for holidays or adult gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers (about 150 grams)
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for rolling
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup good quality bourbon (Jim Beam or similar)
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Place the crushed vanilla wafers, chopped pecans, 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar, and cocoa powder into a medium bowl. Mix these dry ingredients together well.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until combined.
  3. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spoon or your hands to mix everything until a thick, uniform dough forms.
  4. Cover the bowl and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes rolling easier.
  5. Spread extra confectioners’ sugar onto a shallow plate.
  6. Scoop out small amounts of the chilled mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them firmly between your palms to form smooth balls.
  7. Roll each ball completely in the extra confectioners’ sugar until fully coated.
  8. Place the finished bourbon balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  9. Refrigerate the bourbon balls for at least 1 hour before serving to allow them to set completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • If you prefer a stronger chocolate flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the confectioners’ sugar with 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder in the dry mix.
  • For a different texture, you can roll the finished balls in finely chopped pecans or melted dark chocolate instead of powdered sugar.
  • If the mixture seems too dry to hold a shape, add bourbon, one teaspoon at a time, until it holds together. If it is too wet, add a tablespoon of crushed wafers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/bourbon-balls-easy-no-bake-recipe/