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Chocolate Bourbon or Rum Balls

No-bake chocolate bourbon or rum balls that are rich, chocolatey, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers or chocolate wafer cookies
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup or honey
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup bourbon or dark rum, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Coatings
  • powdered sugar, cocoa powder, finely shredded coconut, crushed chocolate sprinkles Choose your preferred coating options.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Crush the cookies. Toss them in a zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin or blitz in a food processor until fine.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together cookie crumbs, nuts, powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt.
  3. Add wet ingredients. Stir in corn syrup or honey, vanilla, and 1/3 cup bourbon or rum. Adjust moisture as needed.
  4. Chill the mixture. Cover and chill for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Roll the balls. Scoop a tablespoon of mixture and roll into a smooth ball about 1 to 1.25 inches wide.
  6. Coat the balls. Roll each ball in your chosen coating.
  7. Rest and store. Let the balls sit uncovered for 30 minutes, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Notes

Use good quality cocoa and a bourbon or rum you would enjoy sipping. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the spirit with orange juice. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 2 months.