![close up on a bunch of Kentucky bourbon balls with one cut in half](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/7ej0cy8i19vv0p7y6J-KqyfTxsg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/176961-kentucky-bourbon-balls-DDMFS-Beauty-3x4-2672-fad0b3b0de4a4a83957f8c6ab22ca58c.jpg)
These boozy bourbon balls are easy to make, yet incredibly impressive. Trust us: This Kentucky bourbon ball recipe 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.
![Kentucky Bourbon Balls with pecans in white candy papers](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/jix7EgZV0Yd6JJOqSddX6-rV27s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-9.20.29-PM-49ba759b8c33494684f8499da36f9532.png)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
252 | Calories |
14g | Fat |
31g | Carbs |
2g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings Per Recipe 24 | |
Calories 252 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 14g | 18% |
Saturated Fat 7g | 33% |
Cholesterol 10mg | 3% |
Sodium 28mg | 1% |
Total Carbohydrate 31g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
Total Sugars 29g | |
Protein 2g | 5% |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 6mg | 0% |
Iron 1mg | 7% |
Potassium 24mg | 1% |
* 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.