These delicious Kentucky Bourbon Balls are a classic treat! Sweet, boozy, and easy to make!
Kentucky Bourbon Balls
Bourbon balls are a must at any holiday gathering in the South — and if you’ve ever tried them you’ll know why! They are my Mother-in-Law’s favorite Christmas treat!
As the name implies, bourbon balls are a boozy cookie. There’s no baking, so the liquor doesn’t cook off like it might in some other desserts. This one is definitely for grown-ups only!
Just like other classic recipes, like Texas Sheet Cake cookies, it seems every family has their own recipe for Kentucky Bourbon Balls. (Or just Bourbon Balls if you use a different type of bourbon).
Sometimes bourbon balls are coated in chocolate, sometimes they are rolled in powdered sugar (like ours). Most recipes do have the following ingredients:
- Crushed vanilla wafers
- Chopped pecans
- Cocoa powder
- Bourbon, of course!
Keep reading to learn our favorite way to make bourbon balls!
Related: Click here to see ALL of our favorite Christmas cookies! There’s over 75 recipes!
Kentucky Bourbon Balls Ingredients
I’ve provided this quick list of shop-able ingredients for your convenience; disclosure policy here.
- 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup bourbon (we used Jim Beam)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup confectioners sugar (for rolling)
Makes: 48 balls
Kitchen Supplies Used:
- Non-stick silicone baking mat — we use these reusable baking mats in almost all of our recipes! They are washable so you can use them again and again and you don’t need cooking spray.
- Cookie scooper — this handy gadget helps create more uniform cookie sizes for more even baking.
- Non-slip mixing bowls — definitely helpful when you’re cooking with kids!
- Cookie Sheets
How to Make Kentucky Bourbon Balls
Besides the fact that they taste delicious, one of the reasons bourbon balls might be one of the most popular holiday treats is that they are so easy to make!
- Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another bowl.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to bowl of wet ingredients, stirring until well combined.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place in a small bowl of powdered sugar.
- Roll the ball in the powdered sugar until surface is coated.
Finish your bourbon balls by placing them on a baking sheet in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
More Christmas Recipes
- Christmas Puppy Chow
- Christmas Wreath Cupcakes
- Christmas Tree Oreos
- Mini Santa Belly Cakes
- Kid-Made Mini Gingerbread House Cakes
- Oreo Gingerbread Truffles
- Rudolph Cupcakes
- Copycat Starbuck Cranberry Bliss Bread
- Grinch Jello Shots
Make Cooking Fun (and Easy!)
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These delicious Kentucky Bourbon Balls are a classic treat! Sweet, boozy, and easy to make!
- 1 Cup Vanilla Wafer crumbs
- 1 Cup Pecans chopped
- 1 Cup Powdered sugar for the dough
- 2 teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 Cup Bourbon
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Light corn syrup
- 1/3 Cup Powdered sugar for rolling
Combine wafer crumbs, pecans, cocoa, and 1 cup of powdered sugar together in a medium bowl.
Pour the corn syrup and bourbon together in a small bowl and mix with a spoon.
Slowly add the crumb mixture to bowl of wet ingredients and mix well.
Form dough into 1" balls and place in a bowl of powdered sugar.
Roll balls in powdered sugar until coated.
Put the dough balls on the baking pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.
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More of our favorite Christmas cookies:
White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- What to Pack in a Roadside Emergency Kit - July 2, 2020
- Kinetic Sand Slime Recipe - June 29, 2020
- Easy Bluey Craft with Toilet Paper Rolls - June 26, 2020
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