Authentic Kentucky Bourbon Balls

4 steps · 45 min total

1. 01

   Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

   In a deep bowl, combine the crushed vanilla wafer crumbs, chopped pecans, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Give it a good whisk to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

   In a separate, smaller bowl, blend the bourbon and corn syrup together until smooth.

2. 02

   Combine and Chill

   Pour the bourbon mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir well until everything is thoroughly combined and a cohesive dough forms. Cover the bowl tightly and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This firming-up time is crucial for easy shaping.
3. 03

   Shape and Roll

   Once chilled, take small bits of the dough and roll them between your palms to form small, uniform balls. Roll each ball in additional powdered sugar until fully coated.
4. 04

   Store Bourbon Balls

   Store the finished bourbon balls in tightly covered containers in the refrigerator, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. You can make these a few days in advance; the bourbon flavor will deepen over time.