Imen Dridi Joy of Cooking Bourbon Balls are made with chopped nuts soaked in Kentucky bourbon, confectioners’ sugar, butter, and semisweet chocolate. This recipe serves 24 and takes about 16 hours, including soaking and chilling times, resulting in rich, boozy, and chocolate-coated treats.
Try More Joy Of Cooking Recipes:
- Joy Of Cooking Scotch Shortbread Recipe
- Joy Of Cooking Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Joy Of Cooking Lemon Meringue Pie
🤎 Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Balls Recipe:
- Rich Bourbon Flavor: The recipe uses Kentucky bourbon, which infuses the balls with a warm, rich flavor that’s distinct and irresistible, appealing to bourbon enthusiasts and chocolate lovers alike.
- No-Bake Ease: This recipe requires no baking, making it a simple and straightforward treat to prepare. It’s perfect for those who want a homemade dessert without turning on the oven.
- Decadent Chocolate Coating: The semisweet chocolate coating adds a smooth and decadent layer, creating a delightful contrast to the boozy, nutty interior.
- Perfect for Gifting: Bourbon balls make excellent gifts during the holidays or special occasions. They’re a thoughtful, homemade treat that’s easy to package and always appreciated by recipients.
- Long Shelf Life: These bourbon balls can be stored for an extended period, making them a great make-ahead treat for the festive season. Their flavor even improves with time, becoming more nuanced and complex.
❓ What Is Joy Of Cooking Bourbon Balls Recipe?
Joy of Cooking Bourbon Balls recipe combines chopped nuts soaked in Kentucky bourbon with confectioners’ sugar and butter, rolled into balls, refrigerated, and then coated in melted semisweet chocolate.
🍫 Joy Of Cooking Bourbon Balls Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
- 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- waxed paper
- 18 ounces semisweet chocolate
🧆 How To Make Joy Of Cooking Bourbon Balls
- Put nuts in a jar that can be closed. Cover the nuts with bourbon, let them soak for eight hours, and then leave them alone overnight.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and butter. Then, in go the nuts that have been soaked in bourbon.
- Make 3/4-inch balls out of the dough and put them in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.
- Above the bourbon ball mix that is sitting on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Put waxed paper on a baking sheet and set it aside.
- In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate over water that is just barely boiling. Stir the chocolate often and scrape the sides down with a rubber spatula to keep them from burning.
- Use melted chocolate to cover the balls, then place them on the tray that has been prepared. Keep in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Nuts Preparation: Finely chop the nuts for a uniform texture within the balls. Consistency is key to ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
- Soaking Time: Don’t rush the soaking process of the nuts in bourbon. This step infuses them with flavor and is crucial for the overall taste. The longer, the better.
- Chilling the Balls: Chilling the balls before dipping them in chocolate helps them keep their shape and makes the chocolate set faster once dipped.
- Melting Chocolate: Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate gently to prevent it from burning. If you don’t have a double boiler, a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water works just as well.
- Dipping Technique: Use a fork or a dipping tool to dip the bourbon balls in chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off before placing them on the waxed paper to ensure a smooth coating.
🥂 What Pairs Nicely With Bourbon Balls?
Bourbon balls pair well with coffee, tea, or dessert wines, enhancing their rich flavors they complement cheese platters, fruit, and nut assortments, or serve as a standalone treat with a glass of bourbon for a cohesive tasting experience.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Bourbon Balls?
- Refrigerator: Place bourbon balls in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, allowing flavors to meld and enhance over time.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze bourbon balls in a freezer-safe, airtight container, also separated by wax paper they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
🚫 Can I Reheat Leftovers Bourbon Balls?
Reheating bourbon balls is not recommended as they are meant to be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. Reheating can alter their texture and taste, diminishing the quality of the chocolate and the infused bourbon flavor.
FAQs
How long do bourbon balls need to soak?
The nuts used in bourbon balls should soak in bourbon for at least 8 hours or overnight this soaking process is crucial for infusing the nuts with bourbon flavor.
How can I prevent the chocolate coating from cracking?
Ensure the bourbon balls are completely chilled before dipping them in melted chocolate this helps the chocolate set smoothly without cracking.
What’s the best way to melt chocolate for coating?
The best way to melt chocolate is using a double boiler or a microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently this method prevents the chocolate from burning.
Do bourbon balls contain gluten?
Bourbon balls can be gluten-free if made without cookies or with gluten-free cookies, always check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
Can bourbon balls be made non-alcoholic?
Non-alcoholic versions can be made by substituting the bourbon with a non-alcoholic liquid like apple juice or a flavored syrup, although the taste and authenticity will differ from the traditional recipe.
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Joy Of Cooking Bourbon Balls Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 224
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 1mg
- Sodium: 69mg
- Potassium: 214mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 7g
Joy Of Cooking Bourbon Balls
Description
Joy of Cooking Bourbon Balls are made with chopped nuts soaked in Kentucky bourbon, confectioners’ sugar, butter, and semisweet chocolate. This recipe serves 24 and takes about 16 hours, including soaking and chilling times, resulting in rich, boozy, and chocolate-coated treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put nuts in a jar that can be closed. Cover the nuts with bourbon, let them soak for eight hours, and then leave them alone overnight.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and butter. Then, in go the nuts that have been soaked in bourbon.
- Make 3/4-inch balls out of the dough and put them in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.
- Above the bourbon ball mix that is sitting on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Put waxed paper on a baking sheet and set it aside.
- In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate over water that is just barely boiling. Stir the chocolate often and scrape the sides down with a rubber spatula to keep them from burning.
- Use melted chocolate to cover the balls, then place them on the tray that has been prepared. Keep in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Notes
- Nuts Preparation: Finely chop the nuts for a uniform texture within the balls. Consistency is key to ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
- Soaking Time: Don’t rush the soaking process of the nuts in bourbon. This step infuses them with flavor and is crucial for the overall taste. The longer, the better.
- Chilling the Balls: Chilling the balls before dipping them in chocolate helps them keep their shape and makes the chocolate set faster once dipped.
- Melting Chocolate: Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate gently to prevent it from burning. If you don’t have a double boiler, a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water works just as well.
- Dipping Technique: Use a fork or a dipping tool to dip the bourbon balls in chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off before placing them on the waxed paper to ensure a smooth coating.
