Description
Cherry Bourbon Balls are a delightful no-bake treat featuring a rich blend of pecans, bourbon, and maraschino cherries, coated in smooth semi-sweet chocolate. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, these bite-sized balls offer a sweet, boozy flavor with a festive cherry topping.
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
- 30 candied cherry halves
Instructions
- Soak Pecans: Combine pecans and bourbon in a bowl and let sit for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Mixture: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with a hand-held electric mixer gradually adding powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the bourbon-soaked pecans and finely chopped maraschino cherries to the butter mixture and stir evenly with a wooden spoon until well 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 saucepan with a heavy bottom, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with shortening or coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Coat Balls in Chocolate: Using two forks or a toothpick, dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate mixture until fully coated, then place onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add Cherry Topping: Press a candied cherry half on top of each chocolate-coated ball to garnish.
- Set and Serve: Refrigerate the coated balls until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes, then serve or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- These bourbon balls will last up to 2 weeks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- For a firmer texture, chill the mixture overnight before shaping.
- Shortening or coconut oil helps the melted chocolate coat smoothly and harden with a nice sheen.
- Use a double boiler to melt chocolate if preferred to avoid scorching.
- Ensure the balls are well chilled before coating to prevent them from falling apart in the chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 25 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
