This bourbon balls recipe is easy to make, yet incredibly impressive. Trust us: These boozy bourbon balls will be a hit at any gathering!
Bourbon Balls Ingredients
These are the ingredients you'll need to make this crowd-pleasing bourbon balls recipe:
- Nuts: Use whatever chopped nuts you like, such as pecans or walnuts.
- Bourbon: Choose a Kentucky bourbon that's smooth and drinkable (but don't waste your really good stuff).
- Confectioners' sugar: Confectioners' (a.k.a. powdered) sugar sweetens things up and dissolves easily into the mixture.
- Butter: You'll need a stick of softened butter.
- Chocolate: The balls are rolled in melted semisweet chocolate chips, creating the perfect chocolate coating.
How to Make Bourbon Balls
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these bourbon balls:
- Soak the nuts in bourbon overnight.
- Mix the sugar and butter in a bowl. Fold in the nuts.
- For the mixture into balls and refrigerate overnight.
- Melt the chocolate.
- Roll the balls in melted chocolate.
How to Store Bourbon Balls
Store the bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you stack the bourbon balls, place a piece of wax or parchment paper between each layer.
Can You Freeze Bourbon Balls?
Yes! You can freeze bourbon balls for up to three months. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. Once they're frozen, transfer the bourbon balls to zip-top bags or another freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"This is a great recipe," raves Phyllish. "I am from Kentucky and have been making Bourbon Balls for 40+ years. This is one of the best recipes that I have found."
"Made these for some bourbon-loving clients last year and they were a huge hit so I'm doing it again," says Suzan Satterfield. "I added some fresh-squeezed lemon to mine so there was a little tart with the sweet."
"These are great," according to Phlox. "I love to bake for the holidays, but find a lot of recipes to be much too sweet. The bourbon in these balances out the sweetness very nicely (I added a little extra)."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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1 cup chopped nuts
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5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
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1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar
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½ cup butter, softened
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waxed paper
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18 ounces semisweet chocolate
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Overhead of bourbon ball ingredients in various bowls.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Place nuts in a sealable jar. Pour bourbon over nuts; seal and allow to soak for 8 hours to overnight.
![Overhead of walnuts in a mason jar covered in bourbon.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Mix sugar and butter in a medium bowl; fold in soaked nuts with bourbon. Form mixture into 3/4-inch balls and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
![Overhead of bourbon ball mixture resting on parchment paper on a baking sheet.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Line a baking tray with waxed paper; set aside.
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Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching.
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Roll balls in melted chocolate to coat; arrange on the prepared tray. Store in the refrigerator until serving.
![Overhead of chocolate covered bourbon balls covered in chocolate.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 249 | Calories |
| 13g | Fat |
| 34g | Carbs |
| 2g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 24 | |
| Calories 249 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 13g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 7g | 33% |
| Cholesterol 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium 48mg | 2% |
| Total Carbohydrate 34g | 12% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
| Total Sugars 30g | |
| Protein 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 15mg | 1% |
| Iron 1mg | 5% |
| Potassium 114mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
