Yes, you can taste the bourbon in these 1950s Bourbon Balls! They’re a nostalgic no-bake treat that’s perfect for gift giving (or keeping all to yourself).
These 1950s Bourbon Balls come straight from a beloved 1950 church cookbook from Alexandria, Virginia.
They’re no-bake, richly flavorful (you can definitely taste the bourbon), and coated in powdered sugar to create a delightful holiday treat.
While I personally grew up eating Grandma’s Rum Balls at Christmas time, I can appreciate the charm of these bourbon-filled treats. They’re bite sized, they look lovely on a holiday cookie tray, and cocktail lovers in particular will go crazy for them.
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What You’ll Need
You can use any type of bourbon that you like for this recipe. It’s the predominant taste in this recipe, so make sure it’s a bourbon that you enjoy!
Pecans add the perfect amount of crunch. You can use walnuts if you like. Make sure they are finely chopped. You can either chop them yourself or buy the “pecan chips” at the grocery store.
How to Make Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla wafer crumbs, and pecans.
- Stir together the bourbon and the corn syrup.
- Pour the bourbon mixture into the powdered sugar mixture, and mix until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, and roll in powdered sugar. Serve!
Tips and Tricks to Make this Easy
This is a no-bake dessert, so let’s make it as easy as possible, right?
- Pulse the vanilla wafers in a food processor to create the crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the vanilla wafers in a zip-top bag and pound with a rolling pin.
- While the food processor is out, pulse the pecans until they’re finely chopped.
- Spray the tablespoon with a little cooking spray before measuring the corn syrup. It’ll slide right out.
Alternatives to the powdered sugar coating
Here are a few ideas for what else to roll the balls in:
- Cocoa powder (for a less-sweet option)
- Granulated sugar
- Very finely chopped pecans (chopped nearly to the point of making pecan “dust”)
- Very finely chopped coconut
- Sprinkles (such as chocolate jimmies)
📖 Recipe
1950s Bourbon Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs (most of an 11-ounce box)
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- For coating: ¾ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs, and 1 cup finely chopped pecans together in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup bourbon and 2 tablespoons light corn syrup.
- Pour the bourbon mixture into the powdered sugar mixture. Stir until combined.
- Place the remaining For coating: ¾ cup powdered sugar in a low bowl or on a plate.
- Roll the bourbon mixture into 1-inch sized balls. Roll in powdered sugar.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
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