Easy Bourbon Balls
Bourbon balls are no-bake chocolate candies with a sweet bourbon-pecan filling made from powdered sugar, butter, chopped pecans, bourbon, and a hint of lime juice, then dipped in chocolate or rolled in nuts. They’re rich, boozy, and taste like grown-up candy. Perfect for Christmas gifts, Kentucky Derby parties, holiday entertaining, or anytime you want an easy no-bake treat that impresses. Ready in 30 minutes plus chill time, makes about 30 balls using simple ingredients.
These bourbon balls are my go-to no-bake treat for the holidays!
My husband Brooks’ grandmother, Thelma Lou, has this amazing recipe that I had to share. The center is a simple mixture of powdered sugar, bourbon, butter, and toasted pecans with a hint of lime juice, which is the Thelma Lou secret ingredient! The lime cuts through all the sugar and butter and adds a little brightness.
You can dip them in chocolate, roll them in chopped pecans, coat them in toasted coconut, or just drizzle chocolate on top. They look fancy but take about 30 minutes to make (plus chill time), and they’re absolutely delicious.
These are perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday gifts, New Year’s parties, or Kentucky Derby celebrations. Honestly, any occasion that calls for bourbon and chocolate works!
More No-Bake Treats
- Rum Balls – Similar concept with rum
- Buckeyes – Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate
- Sugar Cookie Balls – No-bake with sprinkles
- Oreo Truffles – Cream cheese and crushed Oreos
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Powdered Sugar – Sift it before mixing so you don’t get lumps! Also called confectioners’ sugar or 10X sugar.
- Bourbon – Use one you’d actually drink since it doesn’t bake out. Woodford Reserve is the official Derby bourbon but it’s pricey. I use Maker’s Mark or Jim Beam and they work just as well.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter for best flavor. Bring to room temperature before mixing so you don’t get clumps.
- Pecans – I use toasted pecans inside and out. You can substitute walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
- Lime Juice – Thelma Lou’s secret! Just a hint cuts through the sweetness and balances everything.
- Chocolate – For dipping. Dark chocolate, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate all work. You can use chocolate chips, but I prefer melting wafers. Dark is less sweet and I love it because it balances out the sugar.
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How To Make Bourbon Balls
- Combine powdered sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix to combine.
- Add the toasted pecans, bourbon and lime juice.
- Mix until you have a consistent dough.
- Scoop mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
- Dip chilled balls in melted chocolate, or roll in chopped toasted nuts, or roll in toasted coconut, or just drizzle with chocolate.
- Place back on parchment paper and chill until chocolate sets. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Gift Giving: Package in decorative tins or boxes with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated until gifting.
- Room Temperature: Can sit at room temperature for a few hours when serving, but store in the fridge for longer times.
Variations
- Different Chocolate: Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or milk chocolate for dipping. Dark is less sweet and my favorite!
- Different Nuts: Try pistachios, almonds, macadamia nuts, or walnuts instead of pecans.
- Coconut Coating: Roll in toasted shredded coconut instead of chocolate for tropical twist.
- Cocoa Powder: Roll in unsweetened cocoa powder for truffle-style coating.
- Sprinkles: Roll in festive sprinkles for holiday parties.
- No Coating: Leave uncoated and just drizzle melted chocolate on top for rustic look.
- Different Shapes: Make patties or any shape you like instead of balls.
- Rum Balls: Substitute rum for bourbon for a different flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hint of lime juice! It cuts through all the sugar and butter and balances out the sweetness.
Yes! They keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Perfect for holiday gift-giving.
Use one you’d actually drink! Since these are no-bake, the bourbon flavor doesn’t cook out. Woodford Reserve is the official Derby bourbon but it’s expensive. Maker’s Mark or Jim Beam work great.
Nope! Roll in chopped nuts, toasted coconut, cocoa powder, or just drizzle chocolate on top. All delicious!
Some people do, but since the bourbon doesn’t bake out, you’ll taste the quality. Use something you’d drink for best results but you don’t have to buy expensive stuff.
You can, but the pecans add essential flavor and texture. The recipe won’t be quite the same without them. If you can’t use nuts, then you will need to add some more powdered sugar to the recipe to make up for the volume.
Unsalted is best so you can control the sweetness. If using salted, skip adding any extra salt.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Sift powdered sugar before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Bring butter to room temperature before mixing. Cold butter leaves clumps.
- Toast pecans before chopping for deeper, richer flavor.
- Chill the mixture for a few minutes before rolling if it’s too soft.
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform 1-inch balls.
- Chill balls before dipping in chocolate so they hold their shape better.
- Use good quality bourbon you’d actually drink. The flavor really comes through!
- Don’t skip the lime juice – it’s the secret to balanced flavor!
- Work quickly when dipping in chocolate. Chill if the centers start softening.
- Store between layers of parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
This bourbon balls recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining and gift-giving! Rich, boozy, and so easy to make and no corn syrup needed!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Easy No Bake Bourbon Balls Recipe
Ingredients
For the bourbon ball filling
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1.5 sticks butter unsalted, room temperature
- ½ 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 10-30 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
{Originally published 04/26/15 – photos and notes updated 04/27/26 to improve reader experience!}
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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!