Best 8 Classic Vanilla Bourbon Balls Recipes

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Classic vanilla bourbon balls are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of vanilla and bourbon whiskey, creating a sweet and aromatic explosion in your mouth. These bite-sized confections are a popular choice for parties, gatherings, and holiday celebrations, and their simple yet elegant appearance makes them a perfect gift for friends and family. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these delectable treats in the comfort of your own kitchen, impressing your guests with your culinary skills and satisfying your sweet tooth.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BOURBON BALLS



Bourbon Balls image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 40m

Yield 3 dozen, about 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup pecans
8 ounces vanilla wafers, enough to make 2 cups
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa, divided
1 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup bourbon

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet, and place in the oven for 3 minutes. For even toasting, turn the tray, front to back. Toss the nuts with a metal spatula and bake for another 3 minutes. You'll know they're done when they give off their fragrant aroma, and be sure to check them so they don't become overbaked or charred.
  • In a food processor, chop the vanilla wafers into crumbs. Add the pecans and process just until they are finely chopped. In a medium bowl, mix together the crumb-pecan mixture, 1/4 cup of the cocoa, and 1/4 cup of the confectioners' sugar. Add the corn syrup and bourbon. Mix thoroughly. Sift the remaining 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar onto a large plate. Form the crumb mixture into 3/4-inch balls and roll them through the cocoa-sugar to coat. Store in a sealed container for up to 5 days. If necessary, touch them up with a light dusting of the remaining confectioners' sugar.

KENTUCKY BOURBON BALLS



Kentucky Bourbon Balls image

These delicious little bourbon balls are easy, no-bake treats. They're made with vanilla wafers, cocoa, and bourbon. So easy and so good!

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Dessert     Cookies & Candy

Time 2h25m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup fine vanilla wafer crumbs
1 cup finely chopped pecans (toasted or raw)
2 cups confectioner's sugar (divided)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Steps:

  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 62 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 10 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 3 g, ServingSize 36 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

DERBY-STYLE BOURBON BALLS RECIPE BY TASTY



Derby-Style Bourbon Balls Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: crushed walnuts, bourbon whiskey, graham crackers, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, mini chocolate chips, melted chocolate, coconut oil

Provided by Pierce Abernathy

Categories     Desserts

Yield 30 balls

Number Of Ingredients 9

¾ cup crushed walnuts, plus more for topping
¼ cup bourbon whiskey
12 graham crackers
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, melted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup melted chocolate
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the crushed walnuts and bourbon. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit overnight.
  • Place the graham crackers in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until the crackers have broken down into crumbs.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the crushed graham crackers, soaked walnuts, and chocolate chips and stir to combine.
  • Freeze for 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture is firm enough to roll.
  • Roll the mixture into small balls, then freeze for another 20 minutes.
  • Add the coconut oil to the melted chocolate and stir to combine.
  • Coat the balls in the melted chocolate, then sprinkle the tops with crushed walnuts.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 calories, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, Sugar 9 grams

BOURBON BALLS



Bourbon Balls image

Our traditional Southern recipe for Bourbon Balls is so deliciously festive, once you try them, you're sure to make them a part of your holiday traditions!

Provided by Kathleen

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup pecans, (finely chopped)
1/3 cup bourbon
1/2 cup butter, (softened)
1 (16-ounce) package confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
1/3 cup pecans, (finely chopped)

Steps:

  • Add the chopped pecans to a small bowl. Pour whiskey over pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to soak for a minimum of overnight, or for best results, 3-5 of days.
  • Stir the pecans occasionally to make sure they all get a chance to soak up the bourbon. If the bourbon gets soaked up before you're ready to make these, I top them off with extra bourbon.
  • Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside.
  • Add butter to a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the butter until it is creamy. Gradually add in powdered sugar, beat until the mixture is dry and crumbly, like coarse sand. Stir in soaked pecans.
  • Form dough into 3/4 inch balls and set on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate overnight.
  • Add chocolate chips and vegetable shortening to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir vigorously. Continue as needed, heating for 30-second intervals and stirring until melted.
  • Poke a toothpick a 1/4 inch into the top of each ball. Dip in melted chocolate and cover the ball completely, in chocolate, using a spoon as needed to cover the top with chocolate.
  • Return the chocolate covered ball to the tray so the chocolate can set. Remove toothpicks and dab a little melted chocolate on the top to cover the toothpick hole.
  • Sprinkle top with a few chopped pecans. Continue with the rest of the balls. Place in the fridge overnight to set completely.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /24 of the recipe, Calories 224 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 35 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 23 g

FUDGY BOURBON BALLS



Fudgy Bourbon Balls image

This twist on a classic rum ball recipe substitutes chocolate cookies for the usual vanilla wafers, and features bourbon rather than rum. The flavors will mellow and integrate after sitting for a few days, so the cookies will be all the better if you can plan ahead and let them ripen for three or four days. They'll keep for up to two weeks stored at room temperature.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     cookies and bars, dessert

Time 8h15m

Yield 4 dozen balls

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2 cups/280 grams chocolate cookie crumbs (such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers or chocolate graham crackers)
1 1/4 cups/125 grams pecans, whole, halved or pieces
1/2 cup/120 milliliters good bourbon
1 cup/120 grams confectioners' sugar, plus more for rolling
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey

Steps:

  • In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the cookie crumbs and pecans until the nuts are finely ground. (The crumbs keep the nuts from turning into nut butter.)
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the bourbon, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and honey. Add the mixture to food processor and pulse until just combined. Let the dough rest overnight, uncovered and at room temperature. This allows the mixture to dry out a little.
  • Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter, then toss the balls in confectioners' sugar. Store them in an airtight container if you want them moist, or uncovered if you like them to develop a crunchy sugar crust on the outside. Sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar just before serving.

STEPH'S BOURBON BALLS



Steph's Bourbon Balls image

These bourbon balls are my signature Christmas candy. You'll get requests to make these every year!

Provided by Steph T.

Categories     Desserts     Specialty Dessert Recipes     Liqueur Dessert Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 7

½ cup white sugar
2 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs
½ cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
¼ cup bourbon whiskey

Steps:

  • Place the sugar in a shallow bowl, and set aside. Combine the vanilla wafer crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and pecans in a bowl, and mix well.
  • Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes to melt the chips. Stir the melted chips until smooth, and beat in the corn syrup and whiskey. Scrape the chocolate mixture into the crumb mixture, and stir well to mix.
  • Form the dough into 1-inch balls, and roll each ball in sugar. Place the finished bourbon balls on a cooling rack to finish setting up.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.9 calories, Carbohydrate 37.8 g, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 72.7 mg, Sugar 18.3 g

JOY OF COOKING BOURBON BALLS



Joy of Cooking Bourbon Balls image

Make and share this Joy of Cooking Bourbon Balls recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Clevergirl7

Categories     Dessert

Time 15m

Yield 1/3 pound

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons cocoa
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1/4 cup Bourbon
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup broken pecans

Steps:

  • Sift together cocoa and 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Combine and stir in bourbon and corn syrup.
  • Add and mix thoroughly vanilla wafers and pecans.
  • Roll mixture into small balls.
  • Dredge in remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5351.1, Fat 238.8, SaturatedFat 20.2, Sodium 94.4, Carbohydrate 704.1, Fiber 37.4, Sugar 577.1, Protein 36

CHERRY BOURBON BALLS



Cherry Bourbon Balls image

This recipe can also use rum instead of bourbon and also you can use chocolate wafers instead of vanilla wafers. Be sure to age these for at least a few days in a tin before serving.

Provided by MYRAMANI

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     No-Bake Cookie Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup bourbon
¼ cup corn syrup
3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 ½ cups ground walnuts
24 candied cherries, halved
½ cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In the microwave oven or over a double boiler, melt chocolate chips, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon and corn syrup.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the crushed vanilla wafers and ground walnuts. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crumbs in the bowl and blend well using your hands. Shape into 1 inch balls and press a cherry half into the center of each one. Roll each cookie in confectioners' sugar to coat.
  • Store in an airtight tin for at least a week before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.1 calories, Carbohydrate 15.1 g, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 37.9 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality vanilla extract and bourbon for the best flavor.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and coating in powdered sugar.
  • If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar until it is easy to handle.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to evenly portion the dough and make uniform-sized balls.
  • Roll the balls in powdered sugar immediately after dipping them in the melted chocolate to prevent the chocolate from hardening.
  • Store the bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Conclusion:

Classic vanilla bourbon balls are a delicious and easy-to-make holiday treat. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create these festive and flavorful confections that are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special treat to make for the holidays, give these vanilla bourbon balls a try. You won't be disappointed!

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