These Chocolate Bourbon Balls are perfect for any time of year. Make them for a fun summer cookout, for a Holiday Dessert or even a special Father’s Day Treat! These is an easy, no bake recipe that will take your dessert to a “staggering” new level!
I love bourbon. I am not a bourbon snob, connoisseur or expert. There are some brands I love more than others, such as Builleit and Woodford Reserve, but I’d honestly drink just about anything. There is just something that about that deep, woodsy flavor that spreads warmth inside you and soothes whatever troubles that the day has brought you.
What is the difference between Whisky, Scotch and Bourbon?
I just want to address this very quickly in case you were wondering if you could make Whisky Balls or Scotch Balls instead of Bourbon Balls. The answer is: sure. It is whatever your taste is. Without going too much in the the details, Scotch and Bourbon are both types of Whisky. There are are a couple of simple differences, the first being geographic. Scotch must be made in Scotland and Bourbon must be made in the United States.
I actually used to write in here that it had to be made in Kentucky, but got a LOT of comments correcting that (thanks, all you bourbon fans out there, I got the message!!!). Bourbon does NOT need to be made in Kentucky. Even so, I do recommend going down to Louisville, it’s one of my favorite cities.
The second is how they are made. Scotch is usually made from Malted Barley and Bourbon needs to be made from at least 51% corn. In addition, Bourbon needs to be aged in New Charred Oak Barrels. Again, I’m sure there is a lot more to say here, but the bottom line is, yes there is a difference between all of these. And, yes, you can use whatever booze you’d like to try out with this recipe! Ok, lets get on with it!
Chocolate Bourbon Balls
This traditional southern dessert puts a a boozy spin on everyone’s favorite course. Slightly sweet and totally tipsy, you may want to warn the kiddos and about them before handing these Kentucky Bourbon Balls out to everyone. They sure do look a lot like Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts. But I assure you, they are not! We put chopped Pecans on them, but if you have those allergic to nuts, you can skip them. Also, you can slightly change the amount of Bourbon that you are using according to your taste.
Chocolate Bourbon Balls Recipe
Chocolate Bourbon Balls Ingredients:
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp high quality cocoa powder
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup bourbon or whiskey
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Chocolate Bourbon Balls Directions:
- In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, butter and whiskey.
- Once the ingredients are thoroughly combined, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Once 30 minutes are up, remove from fridge. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
- Scoop out portions of the batter with a spoon and roll into 2 inch balls. Set carefully on wax paper.
- Freeze for at least 10 minutes.
- While the balls freeze, place pecans in a sandwich bag. Use a rolling pin to break it into fine pieces.
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stir between each interval.
- Remove whiskey balls from freezer and dip each one into the melted chocolate, using a toothpick to assure that each one is completely coated.
- Place back onto lined baking sheet and top with finely crushed pecans.
- Place back in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Doesn’t Matter What You Call Them! Just Enjoy Them!
Whether you want to call them Whisky Balls, Bourbon Balls or Boozy Balls, they are awesome because they can be used for so many different occasions. I think they are a great idea for a traditional dinner party. We often offer an after-dinner drink to our guests anyways. Why not combine the booze and the dessert into one offering? They would also make a fantastic Holiday Gift. Just make a couple batches of these and give them out to friends and family and a holiday tin. Yes please! I’d also suggest these as a cool, unique Father’s Day treat. Make these for your dad or husband on that special day. It’s definitely something different and fun that we won’t be expecting!
Notes, Tips and FAQS
- CAN YOU GET DRUNK FROM BOURBON BALLS? – Yes, there is real alcohol in these. So eat responsibly. And these desserts are for adults only!
- CAN YOU FREEZE BOURBON BALLS? – Yes! Bourbon Balls Freeze great! The best way is to freeze them lined up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, you can put them in a freezer bag. They are good in the freezer for about 4 months. Thaw them out in the refrigerator.
- DO YOU NEED TO KEEP BOURBON BALLS IN THE REFRIGERATOR? – Bourbon Balls are best kept chilled in the fridge.
- OTHER TOPPING IDEAS – If you don’t want to dip yours in chocolate, there are other options. You can roll your balls in crushed cookies or vanilla wafers. Crush the cookies in a ziplock baggie or use a food processor. Or roll them in powdered sugar.
- CAN I USE RUM IN THIS RECIPE? – Yes, simply substitute the Bourbon for Rum to make Rum Balls.
This recipe makes about 12 Bourbon Balls. Enjoy!
FOR MORE DECADENT DESSERTS, CHECK OUT:
- CHOCOLATE COCONUT BROWNIES
- GLUTEN FREE RED VELVET CUPCAKES
- EASY BREAD PUDDING RECIPE
- CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE
Chocolate Bourbon Balls
Ingredients
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp high quality cocoa powder
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup bourbon or whiskey
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, butter and whiskey.
- Once the ingredients are thoroughly combined, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Once 30 minutes are up, remove from fridge.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Scoop out portions of the batter with a spoon and roll into 2 inch balls. Set carefully on wax paper.
- Freeze for at least 10 minutes.
- While the balls freeze, place pecans in a sandwich bag. Use a rolling pin to break it into fine pieces.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Remove whiskey balls from freezer and dip each one into the melted chocolate, using a toothpick to assure that each one is completely coated.
- Place back onto lined baking sheet and top with finely crushed pecans.
- Place back in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Comments & Reviews
Rachel says
I did exactly what the recipe says ,and my batter is just gooey. It will not harden at all to dip in chocolate. It will not even firm up to somewhat hold a shape. I’ve had in the freezer for a bit over 2 hours.
Kathy says
I’m so sorry. I am not sure what happened. It worked well for me.
Megan S says
Rachel, Did you let your butter get to soft? Use too much bourbon? (Never). I added everything in steps rather than all at once… cream the butter first, add the bourbon and let it incorporate. Then add the cocoa powder, then a little at a time add the sugar. Mine look great and taste even better. Hope this helps.
Megan S says
I am in the process of making these, using Buffalo Trace bourbon, and it’s DELICIOUS!! Perfectly smooth and so dang good! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kathy says
Thank you for letting us know… I am craving some again!
Kelly Borkowski says
These look great and I’m excited to try the recipe. How long do they last? Do they need to be refrigerated? I would like to make them to send to my father. He lives in Florida and I would be sending them from Virginia.
Thank you!!
Kathy says
They last about 10 days at the max. They usually don’t last that long!
Susan says
I am making the bourbon balls and my batter is also sticky? I followed the recipe exactly. Any suggestions to get the cookie firmer?
Kathy says
I am not sure what happened. I would add some extra cocoa powder and firm it up in the fridge.
sam northcutt says
How long would this hold not refrigerated?
Kathy says
They can hold up for a few hours.
M says
I know this wasn’t meant as a primer on whiskey but I’d like to correct a couple things. First, bourbon can be made in any U.S. state; it just has to be in the U.S. Second, it has to be aged in NEW charred oak barrels while scotch and some other whiskies are often aged in used barrels (former bourbon barrels are a common choice). Also, all whiskey is made with at least some malted barley, but most scotch whiskies are blends that contain other grains. Malt whisky is the exception, not the rule. It’s one type of scotch.
Kathy says
Love seeing all the bourbon fans come out on this one. Getting a ton of comments on this mistake. I’ll fix it. I can’t wait to argue with my dad (and win) about this one.
Thomas says
Bourbon does not need to be made in Kentucky; it can be made anywhere in the United States.
Kathy says
Yep. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll correct it.
Keith says
Recipe looked great. I’m trying it out this weekend.
One point though. Bourbon does not need to be only made in Kentucky. It does have to be made in the United States, but it can (and is…) made in other states as well.
Kathy says
Wow. I’m getting nailed on this one. You are right, I’ll correct it.
Denis says
Love them!