Description
Deliciously rich and festive Cherry Bourbon Balls featuring chopped pecans, bourbon, maraschino cherries, and a smooth chocolate coating, perfect for holiday treats or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Nut Mixture
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
Base Mixture
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Coating
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening or coconut oil
Decoration
- 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 overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Base: Place the softened butter in a large bowl and gradually beat in the powdered sugar using a hand-held electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the bourbon-soaked pecans and chopped maraschino cherries to the bowl with the butter mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until evenly combined.
- Shape Balls: Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Melt Chocolate: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips together with the shortening or coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Coat Balls: Using two forks or a toothpick, dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place coated balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add Cherry Topping: Press a candied cherry half on top of each chocolate-coated ball.
- Chill Until Set: Refrigerate the coated balls until the chocolate is fully set, typically about 30 minutes.
Notes
- These Cherry Bourbon Balls will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- For variations, you can substitute coconut oil with shortening if preferred.
- Use parchment paper-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking during chocolate coating.
- Adjust bourbon quantity slightly if a stronger or milder bourbon flavor is desired.
- Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredient brands and quantities.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
