Description
These Cherry Bourbon Balls are delightful bite-sized treats combining the rich flavors of bourbon, pecans, and maraschino cherries coated in smooth semi-sweet chocolate. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a decadent gift, these no-bake sweets offer a luscious blend of nutty, boozy, and chocolaty flavors with a charming candied cherry topping.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bourbon Balls
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Coating
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening or coconut oil
- 30 candied cherry halves
Instructions
- Soak Pecans in Bourbon: Combine the finely chopped pecans and bourbon in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour or ideally overnight to allow the flavors to meld and for the pecans to absorb the bourbon.
- Prepare the Dough: Place softened butter into a large bowl. Using a hand-held electric mixer, gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Mix in Pecans and Cherries: Add the bourbon-soaked pecans and finely chopped maraschino cherries to the butter and powdered sugar mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly with a wooden spoon until evenly combined.
- Shape the Balls: Form the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands. Once shaped, cover the balls with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 1 hour to firm up and make coating easier.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips along with the shortening or coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning and ensure a smooth texture.
- Coat the Balls in Chocolate: Using two forks or a toothpick, dip each chilled bourbon ball into the melted chocolate to coat completely. Place the coated balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add Cherry Topping and Chill: Immediately press a candied cherry half on top of each chocolate-coated ball. Refrigerate the bourbon balls until the chocolate coating is set, approximately 30 minutes.
Notes
- Store bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they will last up to 2 weeks.
- For a smoother coating, ensure the chocolate is melted gently and stirred often.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking when placing the coated balls to set.
- Letting the pecans soak overnight enhances the flavor depth dramatically.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bourbon ball (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
