Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Cherry Bourbon Balls featuring a rich blend of bourbon-soaked pecans, maraschino cherries, powdered sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate coating. Perfect as festive treats or party snacks, these bite-sized delights combine nutty, boozy, and chocolatey flavors, topped with a candied cherry half for a charming finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Coating
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening or coconut oil
Garnish
- 30 candied cherry halves
Instructions
- Soak Pecans: Combine the finely chopped pecans and bourbon in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the pecans to absorb the bourbon fully.
- Prepare Butter-Sugar Mixture: Place the softened butter in a large bowl. Using a hand-held electric mixer, gradually beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring a well-blended base for the balls.
- Mix Filling: Add the bourbon-soaked pecans and finely chopped maraschino cherries to the butter and powdered sugar mixture. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are evenly combined into a consistent dough-like texture.
- Shape Balls: Using your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place them on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up before coating.
- Melt Chocolate Coating: In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips together with shortening or coconut oil over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy chocolate mixture.
- Coat the Balls: Using two forks or toothpicks, dip each chilled bourbon ball into the warm chocolate mixture until fully coated. Place each coated ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet immediately.
- Garnish and Set: Press a candied cherry half onto the top of each coated ball for decoration. Refrigerate the baking sheet until the chocolate is fully set and firm to the touch.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow pecans to soak in bourbon overnight.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- If chocolate thickens while coating, gently rewarm it over low heat.
- Store the bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Shortening or coconut oil helps the chocolate coating to harden with a shiny finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bourbon ball
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
