Kentucky Bourbon Balls - Homemade Hooplah (2024)

Dark chocolate truffles with the delicious bite of authentic Kentucky bourbon. A great candy all year long and perfect for snacking during the Kentucky Derby.

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About Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Kentucky bourbon balls can be enjoyed all year long, but as for me, I prefer to make this classic candy in the spring.

That’s because bourbon makes me think of Kentucky (where most of the world’s bourbon is made, after all), and then Kentucky makes me think of the Kentucky Derby (which happens to come around in early May).

And because of Kentucky’s relationship with Bourbon, it’s become the “officially unofficial” flavor of the Derby. So, as the weather begins to warm, I can’t seem to fight the urge to whip up boozy eats and treats with some of my favorite bourbons.

Besides, who could pass up the opportunity to have a whole batch of bourbon-infused dark chocolate truffles in their possession, no matter the occasion or time of year?

Certainly not me!

What’s in Kentucky bourbon balls?

In order to whip up a batch of these boozy truffles, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:

• Powdered Sugar: Acts as a sweetener, providing a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds a chocolaty nuance, deepening the flavors.
• Nilla Wafers: These serve as the base, providing structure and crunch.
• Pecans: A Southern staple. When finely chopped, they add a nutty flavor and a bit of texture that plays well against the smoothness of the other ingredients.
• Light Corn Syrup: Offers sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together. It provides a slightly gooey texture that complements the crunch of the wafers and pecans.
• Kentucky Bourbon: Ah, the star of the show! This gives the treat its signature Southern kick. The bourbon flavor permeates through the balls, making them a grown-up delight. Also, keep in mind that these bourbon balls are not heated, so even though it’s only a tiny amount (1/4 cup bourbon divided over 24 truffles), the bourbon’s full alcohol content will be present.

What tools do you need?

While bourbon balls may look intricate and complicated, they’re surprisingly easy to make and decorate. You’ll need standard baking tools and only a few custom (yet optional) decorating tools, such as:

• Food Processor: For crumbling the Nilla Wafers and pecans.
• Spatula: For mixing ingredients.
• Wet Cloths or Wet Paper Towels: Useful for easy cleanup during preparation.
• Spoon, Cookie Scoop, or Ice Cream Scoop: For forming the bourbon balls.
• Storage Container with Sealable Lid: Best method for storing these bourbon balls.

Can you make bourbon balls without nuts?

This particular recipe includes crumbled pecans, which give the bourbon balls a little density and texture. However, if pecans aren’t your thing, you can leave them out. You can substitute them for a different nut or replace them with more Nilla Wafers, the other primary filling ingredient in this recipe.

If you’re skipping the pecans entirely,start by substituting the pecans for an equal amount of Nilla Wafers. This would mean you’d need three cups total of crumbled Nilla Wafers.

Next,be conservative when adding the liquid. When mixing, start using only 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup and Kentucky bourbon, then check the consistency. If the batter isn’t thick and rollable, slowly add a little bit more corn syrup and bourbon (1 tablespoon at a time) until the mixture can roll easily into a smooth ball.

Can you substitute bourbon for whiskey?

While Kentucky bourbon has its own method and regional culture surrounding it, bourbon is ultimately just a specific type of whiskey. In other words, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

So, if you have a non-bourbon whiskey that you absolutely love, then yes, you can totally substitute it for the bourbon in this recipe. It means that these candies won’t “really” be Kentucky bourbon balls anymore, but the more important thing here is thatyouenjoy the candy you’re making. If that means using a different whiskey, then by all means, go for it!

You can also substitute the bourbon in this recipe for rum to make classic rum balls.

Can These Bourbon Balls Make You Drunk?

While bourbon balls certainly contain enough alcohol to taste thatit’s there, the likelihood of getting drunk off of them isvery minimal. Only 1/4 cup of bourbon is used in the recipe, which is then divided across 24 candies. That equals about 1/2 a teaspoon of bourbon in each bourbon ball.

Youmightget a buzz if you devoured the whole batch of 24 candies in a short period of time, but after that many sweets, being a little tipsy might be the least of your concerns.

Can you use different cookies for filling?

Absolutely! A variety of cookies can be used in this recipe, but there are some general rules to follow:

• Opt for cookies that are firm or chewy, rather than those that are soft like you’d find in a bakery.
• Choose plain cookies that don’t have any sprinkles or frosting.
• Since Nilla Wafers are smaller than most cookies, the best way to get the right amount is to measure your selected cookies after they’ve been crumbled. Aim for 1-2 cups of crumbled cookies to match the quantity of Nilla Wafers in the recipe. If the dough seems too thick, a minor addition of bourbon or a tablespoon of corn syrup can help balance it out.

How Long Does the Powdered Coating Last?

While a dusting of powdered cocoa sugar looks appealing and is simple to apply, it doesn’t hold up as well over time compared to more solid coatings like candy melts. If you leave these bourbon balls out, the powdered coating is likely to be absorbed into the filling within two days.

To mitigate this, consider these options:

1. Store the bourbon balls in the fridge or freezer. The refrigerator will slow down the absorption process, although it won’t completely stop it. Freezing, on the other hand, will halt the process altogether.
2. Opt for a “non-dissolving” powdered sugar instead of regular powdered sugar. While I haven’t personally tried this, I’ve heard positive reviews from those who have. King Arthur offers a version of powdered sugar that fits the bill.
3. Apply a layer of granulated sugar to the bourbon balls before adding the powdered cocoa sugar. This should act as a barrier between the bourbon ball and the powdered coating. However, be aware that this will introduce a crunchy texture to the bourbon balls.

How Should They Be Stored

For optimal freshness and to maintain their form, Kentucky bourbon balls are best kept in an airtight container. Storing them in the fridge will extend their shelf life and help preserve their shape.

How Long Are They Good For?

If kept in an airtight container at room temperature, bourbon balls will remain fresh for about 1-2 days. However, if stored in a sealed container in the fridge, their freshness can extend up to 1-2 weeks.

Can You Freeze Them?

Absolutely, it’s doable! Here’s how:

• Chill the bourbon balls in the fridge for a minimum of two hours.
• Prepare a freezer-safe container by lining it with parchment paper. Place the bourbon balls in a single layer inside the container. For multiple layers, use additional parchment paper between each layer.
• These treats can be stored in the freezer for a maximum of three months.

Notes & Tips For Kentucky bourbon balls

• If the bourbon ball mixture ever feels too soft to work with, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.

More Kentucky Derby favorites

How to make Kentucky bourbon balls

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In afood processor, add Nilla Wafers and pecans, then crush to fine crumbs.

Step 2 – Transfer the Nilla Wafer mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then mix well.

Step 3 – Add Kentucky bourbon and light corn syrup to the bowl, then mix until dry ingredients are saturated. The dough will reduce in size by half by the time you’re finished stirring.

Step 4 – In a small bowl, mix more powdered sugar and cocoa powder until thoroughly combined, then set nearby.

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Step 5 – Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop up the dough and roll it into a ball in your hands. Drop the ball into the sugar-cocoa powdered mixer and toss to coat, then place the completed bourbon ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat this step until all the dough is used.

Step 6 – Chill bourbon balls in the freezer for 1 hour, then store in a sealed container with any remaining sugar-cocoa mixture. When ready to serve, give the sealed container a shake to re-coat the bourbon balls with more sugar-cocoa mixture. Keep bourbon balls refrigerated until ready to eat.

Step 7 – Serve and enjoy!