Chocolate Bourbon Bliss Balls
Indulge in these delightful no-bake Chocolate Bourbon Bliss Balls, inspired by my dear sister Lydia's favorite treat. A harmonious blend of crushed vanilla wafers and finely chopped pecans provides a rich, crumbly base, while a touch of light Karo syrup, cocoa, and your choice of smooth bourbon or rum creates a decadently sweet and slightly boozy flavor profile. Coated in powdered sugar, these bite-sized confections are perfect for parties or as a simple yet elegant dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Once made, these bliss balls chill in the refrigerator, making them an easy, make-ahead treat that’s sure to impress family and friends alike!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
powdered sugar
1 cup (for mixing and coating)
light Karo syrup
3 tablespoons
cocoa powder
2 1/3 tablespoons
vanilla wafers
3 cups (crushed)
pecans
1 cup (finely chopped)
Bourbon (or rum)
1/2 cup
additional powdered sugar
for coating
Instructions
1
Prepare your workspace by chilling your mixing bowl and equipment, as a cool environment will make shaping the balls easier.
2
In a food processor, combine the crushed vanilla wafers and finely chopped pecans. Pulse until the mixture reaches a crumbly texture.
3
Add the powdered sugar, light Karo syrup, cocoa powder, and bourbon (or rum) to the processed wafer and pecan mixture. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined and form a smooth, sticky dough.
4
Dust your hands and a clean surface with powdered sugar to prevent the mixture from sticking.
5
Using your hands, scoop out small portions of the dough and shape them into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
6
Roll each ball in additional powdered sugar until coated, then place them on a parchment-lined tray.
7
Refrigerate the balls for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chocolate Bourbon Bliss Balls?
Chocolate Bourbon Bliss Balls are no-bake confections made with crushed vanilla wafers, pecans, cocoa powder, and bourbon or rum, all coated in powdered sugar.
Is this a no-bake recipe?
Yes, these are delightful no-bake treats that chill in the refrigerator rather than being baked in an oven.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
This recipe yields approximately 24 servings.
Can I use an alternative to bourbon?
Yes, you can substitute bourbon with an equal amount of rum.
What kind of cookies are used for the base?
The recipe uses 3 cups of crushed vanilla wafers as the base.
What type of nuts are required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of finely chopped pecans.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands?
Dust your hands and a clean work surface with powdered sugar to prevent the sticky dough from adhering to them.
How long should the bliss balls be refrigerated?
They should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow them to firm up before serving.
What size should I make the balls?
Scoop out small portions of the dough and shape them into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
Should the equipment be chilled?
Yes, chilling your mixing bowl and equipment beforehand makes the shaping process easier.
How much bourbon is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of bourbon or rum.
What type of syrup is used in the mixture?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of light Karo syrup.
How much cocoa powder is in the recipe?
You will need 2 1/3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
How do I coat the bliss balls?
Roll each formed ball in additional powdered sugar until fully coated.
Who was the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by the creator's sister, Lydia.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to pulse the vanilla wafers and pecans into a crumbly texture and combine the other ingredients.
What is the texture of the dough?
The dough should be smooth and sticky after mixing the wafers, pecans, sugar, syrup, cocoa, and alcohol.
Are these suitable for parties?
Yes, these bite-sized confections are perfect for parties or as elegant holiday desserts.
How much powdered sugar goes into the dough mixture?
The mixture itself contains 1 cup of powdered sugar, plus extra for coating.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, it is described as an easy recipe and a simple yet elegant dessert option.
Can these be made in advance?
Yes, they are an excellent make-ahead treat as they require chilling time and store well in the refrigerator.
What flavor profile can I expect?
They have a decadently sweet and slightly boozy flavor with a rich, crumbly texture from the nuts and wafers.
What surface should I use to set the balls on?
Place the coated balls on a parchment-lined tray before refrigerating.
How many ingredients are in the Chocolate Bourbon Bliss Balls?
The recipe consists of 7 ingredients: powdered sugar, light Karo syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla wafers, pecans, Bourbon/rum, and additional powdered sugar.
Do I need to chop the pecans?
Yes, the pecans should be finely chopped before being added to the mixture.
How should the vanilla wafers be prepared?
The vanilla wafers should be crushed before processing them with the pecans.
What tags describe this recipe?
Common tags include no-bake, dessert, cookies, bourbon, chocolate, and party treat.
Are these considered sweet snacks?
Yes, they are categorized as both desserts and sweet snacks.
Is the cocoa powder used for the coating?
No, the cocoa powder is mixed into the dough; the coating is made of powdered sugar.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to refrigerate the balls for at least 1 hour to ensure they are firm.