Description
Delicious and festive Cherry Bourbon Balls featuring a blend of finely chopped pecans, maraschino cherries, and bourbon, coated in rich semi-sweet chocolate. Perfectly bite-sized, these no-bake treats are great for holiday gatherings and parties.
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 pecans and bourbon in a bowl and let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Base Mixture: Place softened butter in a large bowl. Using a hand-held electric mixer, gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add Mixtures: Stir the bourbon-soaked pecan mixture and finely chopped maraschino cherries into the butter and sugar mixture with a wooden spoon until well combined and evenly mixed.
- Shape Balls: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the shape.
- Melt Chocolate: In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and shortening or coconut oil over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy mixture.
- Coat Balls: Using two forks or a toothpick, dip each bourbon ball into the melted chocolate until fully coated, then place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Immediately press a candied cherry half on top of each coated ball for garnish.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the chocolate-coated bourbon balls until the chocolate is fully set and firm, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Notes
- For best flavor, soak the pecans in bourbon overnight.
- Use shortening or coconut oil to make the chocolate coating smoother and easier to work with.
- Store finished bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- These are a great make-ahead dessert for holiday parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bourbon ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
