Easy Bourbon Balls
It wouldn’t be the Kentucky Derby without some bourbon balls. These chocolate dipped bites are the perfect snack to enjoy while cheering on your favorite horse and jockey!
You may not be a fan of horse racing, but you have to admit that The Kentucky Derby is amazing. A week of horses, mint juleps, Bourbon, crazy outfits, and funky hats.
Brooks’ grandmother, Thelma Lou, has a great recipe for bourbon balls. I want to share, in case you are planning a party and need something sweet for your menu.
They are just like my buckeyes with bourbon but a little different filling in the center.
Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, but it is quite expensive. I use Maker’s Mark or Jim Beam for these but feel free to use any bourbon that you like.
Some people prefer the cheaper versions of alcohol for cooking and baking but these bourbon balls are NO-BAKE!
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
The center is a simple mixture of powdered sugar, bourbon, butter, pecans, and a hint of lime juice. That’s Thelma Lou’s secret ingredient.
This little bit of lime juice cuts through all the sugar and butter and evens the flavors out. Oh and no corn syrup!
- Butter – Use unsalted butter for the best flavor. If you taste the mixture and it’s a little too sweet, feel free to add a pinch of salt afterwards.
- Bourbon – You can use a cheap bourbon but I like to use one that I would actually drink since it doesn’t bake out. The official bourbon of the Derby is Woodford but Maker’s Mark and Jim Bean work just as well.
- Nuts – I like to use toasted pecans inside and out. But feel free to leave them without a coating. Or dip in chocolate, or roll in toasted coconut (a reader suggestions 😜)
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How To Make Bourbon Balls
- Combine the powdered sugar, finely chopped pecans, and butter in a bowl until mixed.
- Add in your bourbon of choice and lime juice.
- Mix until you have a consistent dough.
- Scoop into 1-inch balls, and place on a baking sheet to chill until firm. Then dip in melted chocolate.
- You can also roll them in chopped toasted nuts like pecans, pistachios, or even toasted coconut.
- You can even leave them uncoated and just drizzle a little of the melted chocolate on top.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Bourbon Ball Variations
- Feel free to make patty shapes or any other shape you like.
- Dip them in dark chocolate, white chocolate, or eve milk chocolate. Although, they can be a little too sweet.
- Feel free to try different chopped nuts like pistachios, almonds, or even macadamia nuts.
- For something off the wall, try toasted shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or even sprinkles.
You can make these a few weeks in advance. If you are making these more than 1 week in advance I would wait to dip in the chocolate until closer to serving time.
You can freeze the balls but only before you dip them in chocolate. If you are leaving them naked or rolling them in nuts, freeze them for up to 3 months.
Feel free to use rum, vodka, whiskey. To be true to Kentucky tradition, stick with bourbon:) Bourbon balls are a quick and easy treat to put together, last for weeks, and make a great dessert for Derby Week while you are slamming down mint juleps.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Sift the confectioners sugar before mixing with the butter.
- You can roll the balls in your hands to form them but you might need to chill the mixture for a few minutes beforehand.
- Be sure to bring your butter to room temperature before mixing so it doesn’t leave clumps in the mixture.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Before the Derby gets started, whip up this Kentucky bourbon balls recipe and start the party early!
No Bake Bourbon Balls
Ingredients
For the bourbon ball filling
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1.5 sticks butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 cup chopped pecans toasted
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
For the chocolate coating
- 8 ounces dark chocolate wafers/chips
Instructions
Make the bourbon balls
- Mix together the butter and sugar.
- Add the pecans, lime juice, and bourbon.
- Stir to combine.
- Scoop or roll into 1 inch balls, or whatever size you choose.
- Chill for 10 minutes.
Dip your bourbon balls
- While balls are chillin' melt your chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave.
- Roll your bourbon balls in the chocolate so all sides are coated or drizzle the chocolate over the top.
- If you don't want to use chocolate, feel free to roll the bourbon balls in chopped pecans.
- Place on parchment paper and chill in the fridge until ready to eat!
Video
Notes
- Depending on the humidity level or your environment, you may need to add more powdered sugar to get the mixture to hold together.
- Just add a little at a time (1/4 cup) until the mixture is easy to handle and just a little bit tacky.
Nutrition
Kentucky Derby Foods
Looking to host a Kentucky Derby Party? Here is a list of Derby party food ideas and some cute decorations!
Among them are my Derby Pie Bites, Derby Pie Brownies, Derby Pie Cheese Ball, and Derby Pie Dip!
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Where’s the lime in those Bourbon Balls?
Sorry about that. Some things got moved around when I changed recipe cards. It’s all fixed now.
These are the best. I have tried other recipes but this by far the easiest and best. I put finely chopped coconut in this recipe and I used Woodford Reserve bourbon. They froze well which made it easy to dip in chocolate without falling apart.
Do you think toasted coconut instead of pecans would work and sound good too. Trying to add some variety away from norms to holiday candy making and I do a maple pecan ball and think my usual coconut balls are boring so could jazz those up. Or I could switch to maple walnut I suppose and stick with pecan for these. Opinions?
I think substituting the toasted coconut will be great! Just make sure that the volume is the same. Toasted coconut flakes tend to be smaller so chop them and measure them after. If you think that they are boring then jazz them up by trying different coatings and see what people gravitate toward. Rolling in toasted coconut, trying cinnamon chips/butterscotch chips, or graham cracker crumbs.
I would really love to try these. I noticed you mentioned lime juice, but there is no mention of it in the video or on the recipe card. How much is a “hint”?
I put up to 2 teaspoons of lime juice in mine if the batter is tasting a little too sweet for me that day but it is totally optional. Thank you!
I added eagle brand milk and more confectioners sugar for mine! Great.
Can’t wait to try, thanks!! ****
Did you have to add extra powdered sugar to make the batter workable? I added about 3 more cups.
are the pecans mandatory? I know they are a classic part of bourbon balls but my husband is allergic
No, they are not but you might need to add a little more powdered sugar to the mixture so it’s not too wet to dip them in the chocolate. Feel free to leave them out or substitute another nut if he is just allergic to pecans. Thanks for reading!
I adore Woodford Reserve too, but yeah, it’s too expensive for cooking or baking.
These. Look. Awesome. !!!! I so want them, like right now!
I do not drink anymore so I feel free to use my Royal Crown in my whiskey sauce for bread pudding. You really can tell the difference! Courvassier makes my fruit cake something special.
I don’t usually drink bourbon too but I will admit that it does make sauce and desserts much better!
Oooh, I love bourbon balls – my mother makes them every year for New Years parties (though we don’t dip ours in melted chocolate). I have no idea why I’ve never thought about making them for a Derby party though – I need to get on that!
When you think of the Derby, you think of bourbon. At least I do:)
Pass these my way! LOVE these!
Thanks!
How fun! I just love the pecans (and bourbon!) in these babies! I love your idea to take them as a gift to someone (I’d make a few extra for myself, for sure).
I had to make two batches. One for me and one to give.
For me, it depends on the environment. I’m in AZ now so not really but when I was in South Georgia and the humidity was high, I did. Thank you for mentioning this. I will add it to my recipe notes:)
Yum! These sound tasty! I will have to use some of the hubby’s bourbon for these.
That’s what I did!
Jennifer, I absolutely love this picture of yo. I smile every time I see it 🙂 And these bourbon balls–oh yum!! I can handle watching the derby with these!
Thanks Kristen!
These look awesome! I have a brother would go crazy for these. I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby….it looks like such fun.
It was such an experience. Off to the Masters next!
Sounds delicious. I may just make a batch this weekend.
One thing I noticed…you left out the amount of chocolate and what type to use in the ingredients list.
I just used Ghiradelli melting wafers as it was the easiest. Baker’s has a microwave cup that you can use to dip fruit and it works well but not enough chocolate. I used 1 whole bag of the wafers.
These are awesome! I’ve never made bourbon balls but it’s a Kentucky tradition that I think it is time I try. I’ve also never been to the Derby… another tradition I need to experience 🙂
I’ve been just the one time and want so bad to go back and see everything I missed during my first visit!
I adore bourbon balls!!! I would love it if you link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black!
I will do that! Thanks Pam!
My husband’s drink of choice, when he drinks, is bourbon. He would totally love these! Maybe I’ll surprise him with them soon.
I hope that he likes them Des!
These are so perfect right now! One thing I miss about living back east is all the buzz around the Durby – it’s just not the same out here in the southwest. I’ll have to make these to get back in the spirit 😀
Thanks Chrisy!
I’m thinking I’d have to make a double batch to account for all the ones I’d eat myself! 🙂
Thanks Jennifer! I had to ration mine so I wouldn’t eat them all at one time!!
Oh my goodness, these sound (and look) sinful. I’m with Brooks – no sense wasting the best stuff on these. By the time you bite into the chocolate, the bourbon is only half the story:)
Thanks Laura! Plus I had a lot more Jim Beam than the “good” stuff!
I love these! I do a big Derby Party and/or menu every year.
I love finding other Derby enthusiasts. Any excuse to wear an amazing hat, drink juleps, and watch the horses, right?
Thanks Barrett! I think I might get in gear to do a Derby Menu next year! At least I have dessert done!