Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls are made of unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar, bourbon, light corn syrup, crushed vanilla wafers, and finely chopped pecans or walnuts. This recipe serves 18 and takes about 1 hour to prepare, including chilling time, resulting in a decadent, boozy treat perfect for sharing.
More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
đ€ Why You’ll Love Bourbon Balls Recipe:
- Distinct Flavor: The rich combination of bourbon, cocoa, and vanilla wafers offers a unique taste that’s both sweet and slightly boozy, appealing to adult palates.
- No-Bake Ease: Bourbon Balls require no baking, making them a quick and easy treat to prepare without turning on the oven.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: They taste even better a few days after making, as the flavors have time to meld together, making them perfect for planning ahead.
- Rich Texture: The combination of crushed wafers and nuts gives these balls a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, sugary coating.
- Adult Treat: A great way to enjoy a touch of your favorite bourbon in a sweet, edible form, these balls are a hit at adult gatherings.
â What Is Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Recipe?
Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls recipe combines unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar, bourbon, light corn syrup, crushed vanilla wafers, and finely chopped pecans or walnuts into no-bake treats. They’re rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet finish, perfect for gifting or indulging.
đ„ Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 1 cup (about 4 ounces) powdered sugar, plus more for rollingÂ
- 1/4 cup bourbonÂ
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrupÂ
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers)Â
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnutsÂ
đ§ How To Make Pioneer Woman Bourbon BallsÂ
- In a large bowl, sift together 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa and 1 cup of powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- Add 1/4 cup bourbon and 2 tablespoons light corn syrup to the cocoa and sugar mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Mix in 2 cups of crushed vanilla wafers and 1 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Take small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. If the mixture is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour to make handling easier.
- Roll each ball in additional powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly. This not only adds sweetness but also helps to prevent the balls from sticking together.
- Place the bourbon balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until they are firm.
- Once firm, the bourbon balls are ready to serve. For storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
đRecipe Tips:
- Crushing Vanilla Wafers: For a uniform texture, use a food processor to crush the vanilla wafers. If you donât have one, placing the wafers in a zip-lock bag and rolling them with a rolling pin works well too.
- Sticky Mixture Handling: If the mixture is too sticky to handle, chilling it is a great solution. You can also dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking when rolling the balls.
- Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture before rolling. This helps ensure that all bourbon balls are uniform in size.
- Double Coating: For an extra sweet touch, roll the balls in powdered sugar a second time once they’ve chilled for an hour. This creates a beautiful white coating.
- Flavor Development: The flavor of bourbon balls improves over time, so consider making them a few days in advance of serving to let the flavors meld.
- Alcohol Note: While the bourbon does provide a distinct flavor, much of the alcohol content will diminish over time. However, these are still best served to an adult audience.
â What To Serve With Bourbon Balls?
Serve Bourbon Balls with coffee, espresso, or a dessert wine like port for a sophisticated pairing they also complement a cheese platter or a selection of fresh fruits for a holiday spread, pair with other sweet treats like cookies or chocolate truffles.
đ How To Store Leftovers Bourbon Balls?
- Refrigerator: Place the bourbon balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: For longer storage freeze the bourbon balls on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
đ« Can I Reheat Leftovers Bourbon Balls?
Bourbon Balls are typically enjoyed at room temperature or chilled and do not require reheating
FAQ’S:
Can I use a different type of alcohol in Bourbon Balls?
Yes, while bourbon is traditional, you can also use rum, whiskey, or brandy as a substitute, depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
Are Bourbon Balls suitable for children?
Due to their alcohol content, Bourbon Balls are generally considered an adult treat the alcohol does not fully cook off, as these are no-bake treats.
What’s the best way to crush the cookies in Bourbon Balls?
A food processor provides the finest, most uniform crumbs, but placing the cookies in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin is an effective alternative.
Is it necessary to refrigerate Bourbon Balls?
Refrigeration is recommended not only to set them initially but also to keep them firm and extend their shelf life due to their dairy content.
Can I make Bourbon Balls without nuts?
Yes, nuts can be omitted if allergies are a concern, though they may lack some texture and flavor depth. Consider adding extra cookies or a small amount of rolled oats for bulk.
Why did my Bourbon Balls come out too sticky?
Stickiness can result from too much corn syrup or not enough dry ingredients try chilling the mixture before rolling or add more crushed cookies or powdered sugar to achieve the right consistency.
More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
- Pioneer Woman Pineapple Casserole Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Coffee Creamer Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Blackberry Jelly
Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 73 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Potassium: 54mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Vitamin A: 2IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 1mg
Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls
Description
Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls are made of unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar, bourbon, light corn syrup, crushed vanilla wafers, and finely chopped pecans or walnuts. This recipe serves 18 and takes about 1 hour to prepare, including chilling time, resulting in a decadent, boozy treat perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa and 1 cup of powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- Add 1/4 cup bourbon and 2 tablespoons light corn syrup to the cocoa and sugar mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Mix in 2 cups of crushed vanilla wafers and 1 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Take small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. If the mixture is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour to make handling easier.
- Roll each ball in additional powdered sugar to coat them thoroughly. This not only adds sweetness but also helps to prevent the balls from sticking together.
- Place the bourbon balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until they are firm.
- Once firm, the bourbon balls are ready to serve. For storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Crushing Vanilla Wafers: For a uniform texture, use a food processor to crush the vanilla wafers. If you donât have one, placing the wafers in a zip-lock bag and rolling them with a rolling pin works well too.
- Sticky Mixture Handling: If the mixture is too sticky to handle, chilling it is a great solution. You can also dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking when rolling the balls.
- Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture before rolling. This helps ensure that all bourbon balls are uniform in size.
- Double Coating: For an extra sweet touch, roll the balls in powdered sugar a second time once they’ve chilled for an hour. This creates a beautiful white coating.
- Flavor Development: The flavor of bourbon balls improves over time, so consider making them a few days in advance of serving to let the flavors meld.
- Alcohol Note: While the bourbon does provide a distinct flavor, much of the alcohol content will diminish over time. However, these are still best served to an adult audience.