Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (2024)

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Desserts· Holiday Recipes· Party Recipes· Recipes

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These delicious Kentucky Bourbon Balls are a classic treat! Sweet, boozy, and easy to make!

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (1)

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Bourbon balls are a must at any holiday gathering in the South — and if you’ve ever tried them you’ll know why! They are my Mother-in-Law’s favorite Christmas treat!

As the name implies, bourbon balls are a boozy cookie. There’s no baking, so the liquor doesn’t cook off like it might in some other desserts. This one is definitely for grown-ups only!

Just like other classic recipes, like Texas Sheet Cake cookies, it seems every family has their own recipe for Kentucky Bourbon Balls. (Or just Bourbon Balls if you use a different type of bourbon).

Sometimes bourbon balls are coated in chocolate, sometimes they are rolled in powdered sugar (like ours). Most recipes do have the following ingredients:

  • Crushed vanilla wafers
  • Chopped pecans
  • Cocoa powder
  • Bourbon, of course!

Keep reading to learn our favorite way to make bourbon balls!

Related: Click here to see ALL of our favorite Christmas cookies! There’s over 75 recipes!

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (2)

Kentucky Bourbon Balls Ingredients

I’ve provided this quick list of shop-able ingredients for your convenience; disclosure policy here.

  • 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
  • 1 cup pecans (chopped)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for the dough)
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (we used Jim Beam)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup confectioners sugar (for rolling)

Makes: 48 balls

Kitchen Supplies Used:

How to Make Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Besides the fact that they taste delicious, one of the reasons bourbon balls might be one of the most popular holiday treats is that they are so easy to make!

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (3)

  1. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another bowl.
  2. Slowly add dry ingredients to bowl of wet ingredients, stirring until well combined.
  3. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place in a small bowl of powdered sugar.
  4. Roll the ball in the powdered sugar until surface is coated.

Finish your bourbon balls by placing them on a baking sheet in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (4)

More Christmas Recipes

  • Christmas Puppy Chow
  • Christmas Wreath Cupcakes
  • Christmas Tree Oreos
  • Mini Santa Belly Cakes
  • Kid-Made Mini Gingerbread House Cakes
  • Oreo Gingerbread Truffles
  • Rudolph Cupcakes
  • Copycat Starbuck Cranberry Bliss Bread
  • Grinch Jello Shots

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Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (5)

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4 from 1 vote

Kentucky Bourbon Balls Recipe

These delicious Kentucky Bourbon Balls are a classic treat! Sweet, boozy, and easy to make!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Chill Time30 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Bourbon, Bourbon Balls, Christmas, cookies, Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Servings: 48 Balls

Calories: 42kcal

Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Medium bowl

  • Small bowl

  • Spoon

  • Mini cookie scoop

  • Baking pan

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Vanilla Wafer crumbs
  • 1 Cup Pecans chopped
  • 1 Cup Powdered sugar for the dough
  • 2 teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 Cup Bourbon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Light corn syrup
  • 1/3 Cup Powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

  • Combine wafer crumbs, pecans, cocoa, and 1 cup of powdered sugar together in a medium bowl.

  • Pour the corn syrup and bourbon together in a small bowl and mix with a spoon.

  • Slowly add the crumb mixture to bowl of wet ingredients and mix well.

  • Form dough into 1" balls and place in a bowl of powdered sugar.

  • Roll balls in powdered sugar until coated.

  • Put the dough balls on the baking pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Pin this Kentucky Bourbon Balls recipe on Pinterest:

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (6)

More of our favorite Christmas cookies:

Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (7)

Hot Cocoa Cookies

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.

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Kentucky Bourbon Ball Cookies - Easy No Bake Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

How long will bourbon balls last in the refrigerator? ›

Bourbon balls will last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Storing them uncovered will result in a more defined “crust”, and storing them covered will keep them moist. To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.

How long can you soak pecans in bourbon? ›

It's pretty much agreed that the minimum soaking time for bourbon in pecans is 30 minutes, especially when making glazed or candied bourbon pecans. For a more intense nutty flavor and crisp texture, lightly toast the pecans first; six to eight minutes should do the trick.

How much alcohol is in a bourbon ball? ›

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.

How can I tell if bourbon has gone bad? ›

First, check the color. If the color has faded significantly, this is a sign that your bourbon is no longer at its peak, usually due to light exposure. Second, check the smell. Bourbon that has spoiled might smell moldy or sour.

Does Ole Smoky bourbon ball go bad? ›

Hi, Scott the cream based spirits are good for 6 months after opening if kept refrigerated. Have a great day and Shine Responsibly!

What does soaking pecans do? ›

By soaking nuts and seeds, you minimize or eliminate the nutritional inhibitors and other toxic substances as they are absorbed into the water. Without the inhibitors and toxic substances, the nutrients of the nuts and seeds are more readily available for absorption.

How long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.

Do pecans turn rancid? ›

Because oil content in pecans is high, rancidity can develop at warm temperatures and is more noticeable than in most other nuts.

Can bourbon balls get you drunk? ›

Can I get drunk from eating your bourbon balls? Highly unlikely. The balls are bite-sized, maybe two bite-sized, so you would have to eat a lot of them. You are more likely to experience a sugar high, than a buzz, so we feel it is a safe indulgence.

Is the alcohol cooked out of bourbon balls? ›

Since the balls aren't baked, the alcohol from the bourbon isn't cooked off, as it is in many other candies and desserts.

Does alcohol evaporate from bourbon balls? ›

The most common variation for home cooked recipes is regional to the southern United States and incorporates crushed cookies, corn syrup, chopped pecans, and bourbon into a mixture that is formed into balls and coated in powdered sugar to prevent the evaporation of the alcohol.

Can you get buzzed from bourbon balls? ›

Can I get drunk from eating your bourbon balls? Highly unlikely. The balls are bite-sized, maybe two bite-sized, so you would have to eat a lot of them. You are more likely to experience a sugar high, than a buzz, so we feel it is a safe indulgence.

What happens if you refrigerate bourbon? ›

You should keep your bourbon at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're going to drink it within a few days, you can place your container in the fridge. However, leaving bourbon in the cold for a long period of time can alter the flavors.

How long can you keep bourbon before it goes bad? ›

Unopened, a bottle of bourbon won't go bad. You can store it for decades. But once a bottle of bourbon is opened, it's got roughly 1 to 2 years before it goes bad.

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