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Pecan Bourbon Balls + Giveaway

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Pecan Bourbon Balls + Giveaway — No bake Pecan Bourbon Balls are an easy and fun no bake treat. Sweet buttery pecans mingle packed together in a sweet no bake filling, and drenched in melted chocolate. Then topped with a toasted pecan. These easy to make old-fashioned southern-style candy treats will please the pecan lover in you.

Plus I have a great giveaway for you! A snack package from Millican Pecan Company!

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls candies with a pecan half on top on a white plate that's set on a black wire plate and the title is on the image

 

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If you’d rather skip my helpful tips, tricks, essential cooking information, and delicious similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card. It’s right there with a pretty bright yellow background.

The giveaway is right above the recipe card. Look for the Rafflecopter widget.

If you have any questions about how to make this recipe, or if you try them, please come back and leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.

 

Millican Pecan Snack Mix Prize Package Giveaway announcement image

 

Today I’m really excited to announce that I’ve partnered with Millican Pecan Company. I have been sent product to facilitate this post, however, all opinions are my own. #ad Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible!

 

I love a good no-bake treat during the summer. And these are a gluten-free treat.

These are also perfect for the holidays and cookie and candy plates for the adults. Santa may even want in on these.

 

Millican Pecan Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee Tin with a green napkin in the background

 

Millican Pecan Company

I’m so excited about today’s giveaway! Have you met Millican Pecan Company yet? They have amazingly tasty goodies and of course, pecans!

Millican Pecan Co. has been harvesting and selling pecans for five generations. “Our great-great grandfather pioneered the pecan industry here in San Saba, Texas (‘The Pecan Capital of the World’), and we are happy to be carrying on the tradition he started over 130 years ago. We are home to Texas’ Mother Pecan Orchard and are often called America’s Pecan Orchard.” Read more on their about page, with some great family pictures!

And, while you’re there, check out all their products!

 

candies on a white plate. Candies include: Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee, Chocolate Toffee Pecans, Dark Chocolate Caramillican, Pecan Divinity, Sweet & Spicy Pecans, and Roasted & Salted Pecans

 

Millican Pecan Snack Mix Prize Package Giveaway

We have a great sampling today for our giveaway! Many of these items would be great for back to school treats, either after school, or in a lunch box.

And, let me tell you, I got to taste all of these goodies for myself. They are all amazing and delicious. It’s hard for me to say which ones I like the best. Those Sweet & Spicy Pecans are so good! And those Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee Snacks were the first to disappear. I didn’t even share them with anyone!

 

Included in the giveaway:

  • Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee Tin
  • Chocolate Toffee Pecans
  • Salted Caramel Pecan Snack Mix
  • Dark Chocolate Caramillican
  • Pecan Divinity
  • Jar of Creamy Pecan Butter
  • Sweet & Spicy Pecans
  • Roasted & Salted Pecans

 

a bite taken out of a Pecan Bourbon Ball with the white filling showing through the chocolate coating on a light blue plate

 

Recipe tips

The finer you chop the pecans, the faster the bourbon will absorb into them. Chop the pecans by hand using a sharp knife, or try chopping them in a food processor. Just be careful to leave them finely chopped and don’t turn them into pecan butter.

Keep some of the rolled pecan bourbon filling balls in the freezer while you dip others into the melted chocolate. If they sit out too long they become soft and difficult to manage while dipping.

The flavors in the pecan bourbon filling mellow and mingle over a day or two. Keep them stored in the fridge, and nibble on them when you want a nice treat.

Makes 30 to 40 candies, depending on how large you scoop them. I made mine fairy small, so they are just a bite of two. I think that’s the perfect size. Of course, you could always make them larger!

 

5 Pecan Bourbon Balls on a white ceramic plate

 

Chocolate coating for the Pecan Bourbon Balls treats

My mom always did the trick of adding a little shortening to the chocolate when melting it for a candy coating.

This trick works because the addition of shortening creates a smoother and more manageable consistency for the chocolate, than melted chocolate alone. It allows you to work with the chocolate longer. Which helps create a more evenly coated Pecan Bourbon Ball.

Adding the shortening also makes for a nice shiny chocolate coating.

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls on a white plate in front of bags of pecans from Millican Pecan Company

 

How to make Pecan Bourbon Balls

Soak the pecans in the bourbon and vanilla.

Cream the butter and sugar together. This will create a dry sugar mixture. That’s ok, there’s more than enough moisture in the bourbon pecans to create the soft filling.

 

powdered sugar and butter mixed together in a glass bowl with a fork on a white tile background

 

Mix the bourbon soaked pecans into the creamed butter and sugar.

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls filling in a glass bowl with a mixing spoon

 

Scoop out the filling to form small rounds. I like using an ice cream/cookie dough scoop like this one (about 1 tablespoon in size) to help scoop and form the balls. Place the filling balls on a parchment lined cookie tray, and freeze or refrigerate.

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls filling that's been shaped into balls on parchment paper

 

Dip the cold pecan bourbon filling balls into the melted chocolate mixture. Then cover the hole with a toasted pecan.

 

chocolate dipped and topped with a pecan, several Pecan Bourbon Balls on a tray

 

Don’t forget to hop over to check out Millican Pecan Company.

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls in a white bowl with one of the treats in front of the bowl

 

Giveaway Rules

Follow the instructions in the giveaway widget below. Open to US residents 18+. One (1) winner will be chosen. Prize will be delivered by Millican Pecan Company.

Winner chosen randomly and announced in this post.

We will email the winner, and if the winner does not respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

The prize will be mailed from the manufacturer to the winner directly, and Life Currents is not responsible for lost mail. Giveaway shared at Blog Giveaway Directory & Win Free Stuff

All entries will be verified.

This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Rafflecopter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. Giveaway ends 8/30/2019.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe long pin with two images and a title

 

Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe

Pecan Bourbon Balls candies with a pecan half on top on a white plate that's set on a black wire plate and the title is on the image
5 from 7 votes
Print

Pecan Bourbon Balls

No bake Pecan Bourbon Balls are an easy and fun no bake treat. Sweet buttery pecans mingle packed together in a sweet no bake filling, and drenched in melted chocolate. Then topped with a toasted pecan. These easy to make old-fashioned southern-style candy treats will please the pecan lover in you.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword balls, bourbon, pecans
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Resting and chilling time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 40 balls
Calories 177 kcal
Author Debi

Ingredients

Filling:

  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup good quality Bourbon
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • pinch salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • pinch salt

Chocolate coating:

  • 3 tablespoons shortening
  • 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • about 30-40 pecan halves toasted and cooled

Instructions

Make the filling:

  1. Combine chopped pecans, vanilla, and bourbon in a small bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Mix the softened butter with the powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt, using a sturdy fork, a hand held mixer, or a stand mixer on low speed. The creamed butter and sugar mixture will be dry. Add the soaked pecans to the butter sugar mix, and combine thoroughly.
  3. Use a small ice cream/cookie dough scoop or a spoon to form balls that are about 1 tablespoon, or 1-inch around. Use your hands to roll them into balls. Place the filling balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Place the tray in the freezer for a few minutes while you melt the chocolate, or refrigerate for an hour.

Make chocolate coating:

  1. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Once smooth, let the chocolate cool a bit at room temperature.
  2. Dip chilled pecan bourbon filling balls into the chocolate mixture using a toothpick. Keep some of the filling balls in the fridge while you work, so they don’t all come to room temperature.
  3. Hold the chocolate covered bourbon ball upside down over the melted chocolate for about five seconds to let it begin to set. Shaking gently back and forth will also allow some of the excess chocolate to drip off.
  4. Using a second toothpick, or your finger, push the chocolate coated pecan bourbon ball off of the toothpick, and place it on a parchment lined and chilled baking sheet.
  5. Top with a toasted pecan to cover the hole from the toothpick. Return bourbon balls to refrigerator to set the chocolate, at least two hours, or overnight. The flavors will mingle and mellow the longer they sit.

Recipe Notes

Makes 30 to 40 candies, depending on how large you scoop them. I made mine fairy small, so they are just a bite of two. I think that’s the perfect size. Of course, you could always make them larger!

Nutrition Facts
Pecan Bourbon Balls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 177 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 22mg1%
Potassium 88mg3%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 80IU2%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
 


Comments

  1. Rust says

    Homemade chocolate ice cream with pecans, and pecan pralines are my top two favorites.

  4. Gloria Richards says

    I love using Pecans in so many recipes but I think my favorite is my Chicken-Pecan Salad. But, lightly toasted, Pecans add a terrific flavor to any type of salad. So good and of course, a few get munched on only the way.

  7. Dana Rodriguez says

    Their products look AMAZING! I love pecans. Especially in pancakes, pie and candy. I also love them in chicken salad.

  10. Lorinda McKinnon says

    Oh.My.Word. I use pecans daily. In my cereal, in my salads, in my baked goods. This sounds like a wonderful treat for right now, of course, but also for a holiday cookie platter. Delicious!

  13. Tim says

    I grew up in Texas and grew up eating “peanut patties, and several years ago I found a recipe for them. We occasionally use peanuts wneh we make them, but we usually make them out of pecans. They are a “candy”, so they are a little difficult to make, as they require the use of corn syrup and the “soft-boil/hard/boil” tightrope, but they are worth the effort.

  23. Cindy Merrill says

    I make cider pie with pecans in the filling- it’s like a pecan pie that tastes like apples.

  32. wen budro says

    I love to make pecan pie. I also love using pecans for pralines and cinnamon sugar pecans. Yum!!!

  44. Amber Terry says

    Pecan Pies are really good 🙂 Everything in this post looks awesome, too!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  45. Julie Murphy says

    Honestly I like to eat them straight out of the container. But I mostly use to put in brownies.

  47. Yvonne Woodstock says

    I like to put them in salads! I just know I’d love those pecan bourbon balls in the recipe you shared, for sure too!

  54. Jeanna Massman says

    I have a great recipe for tiny pecan pie cups. They are especially delicious at Christmas.

  63. Denise birdsong says

    I love pecans in everything and by themselves. Pecan turtles are my favorite though.

  69. jenny stratton says

    I love making chocolate chip cookies with pecans and my daughter in law makes a killer rum pecan pie.

  72. Angela Saver says

    We love making chocolate chip cookies with pecans. So good. I can’t wait to try out Millican Pecan. So many things I want to try.

  77. Karen Frye says

    Thank you for bringing Millican Pecan Company to my attention. I make Oatmeal-Coconut-Pecan cookies that earn lots of compliments.

  79. Aaron B says

    I love pecan pie but butter pecan ice cream is also amazing and something I’m more likely to want during HOT weather like this!

  85. Docia Vagnerini says

    OMgosh pecans are my very favorite nut! I eat thm just plain a LOT, but they are also so very good in cookies, breads and even savory dishes, extremely universal 🙂

  88. Kate S. says

    It’s a toss-up for me between Pecan Pralines and Pecan Pie… so I’ll just go with both of them. 🙂

  89. Ina Fowler says

    I make my banana bread with pecans and also snack on them after toasting in oven. We love our Pecans!

  90. BARRIE MACLAUCHLIN says

    My favorite use of pecans is my chocolate pecan pie that I make 2 of every year for Thanksgiving. It’s a family favorite!

  94. ellen beck says

    I love making a pecan pie. Honestly hubby and I did not have a wedding cake- served pecan pies!

  98. Lisa Williams says

    I love to just eat pecans but I also put them in cookies,fudge,and I love to add them to my oatmeal.

  108. Elizabeth Miller says

    I love to make pecan snowdrops. It was my great grandmothers famous Christmas cookie.

  115. Peggy Johnson says

    I love to make lemon-pecan bread. Everyone loves when they get this at Christmas or Easter.

  118. Akkira Mickiene says

    When my husband doesn’t eat the whole bag before I’m done, he likes crumbled up pecans with peanut butter and some cinnamon sugar on some toast. It’s a dessert kinda thing for him, but half the time he eats the bag before I’m done

  122. Tracy Robertson says

    I love making rocky road fudge with pecans! I do it every holiday season. I must try making these Pecan Bourbon Balls this year too. They look incredible and all of the adults in the family would love them.

  124. Jessi Lanoue says

    I love to make pecan pie around the holidays and pecan bars! Pecans covered in chocolate are always fabulous too!

  128. Linda Kwolek says

    My favorite way to use pecans is in pecan apple oatmeal cookies. And then I love to use granny smith apple pieces for a little bit to them.

  129. Rachel Mertz says

    I love using pecans in deserts (cookies, pies, ice cream) and lightly roasted and crumbled in salads – especially a cobb salad with blue cheese crumbles, hard boiled egg, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers and roasted crumbled pecan – muy delicioso!

  130. Donna Teller says

    My favorite thing to make with pecans is just a basic pecan pie. Super easy and delicious.

  132. monique s says

    I like pecans used in my trail mix, so eating them raw with raisins and other nuts and berries

  135. Helen says

    My grandma would make homemade bonbons with chopped up pecans and powdered sugar every year for Christmas. They were my sister’s and my favorite candy since I can remember.

  136. Kimberely says

    Hello! I enjoyed visiting your site with all the fun recipes! Can’t wait to try some of them- thanks so much!

  140. Debbie Welchert says

    I’ve never used pecans in my baking before. I would really love to try them in brownies and cookies. That sounds so good….

  150. Sandra says

    Pie has always been my favorite. But I am certainly going to try these little bites of heaven candies.

  151. Denise W says

    Chicken salad I add grapes, apples, celery, pecans, mayo and other ingredients. Everyone loves it.

  156. Jaelle E Kaylor says

    My husband’s favorite pie in the world is pecan pie- but our whole family will snack on plain old pecans too

  159. Cindy says

    I love pecans in so many things, but probably in candies. My daughters and I devote one day in December to make Christmas goodies, and the majority of them include pecans! Yum!

  161. 007blond says

    I love all things pecans. Being Southern, Pecan Pie is my favorite recipe with pecans.

  162. Sarah says

    I really like making baked pecan crusted chicken, pecan pie muffins, and cinnamon pecans.

  163. greentopiaries says

    My favorite thing to make with pecans is my Toffee and Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie at Christmas time. Thanks for the chance!

  170. Amber Bourland says

    My favorite things to make using pecans are good old-fashioned sticky-buns. They are SO delicious!

  172. Amanda Whitley says

    i haven’t personally made it but i love pecan pie. I had never had it till a few years ago when visiting my husbands family in the south and it was on a menu at a restaurant. pecan pie isn’t as big a thing here in MA

  174. Marissa C says

    My favorite thing to make with pecans is pecan pie. I use my German grandmother’s recipe!

  182. donna porter says

    I am a Southern girl and we make lots of pecan pies. Also salted and roasted pecans are popular.

  185. Sand says

    I’m a Texan so we add pecans to basically everything! But nothing beats my pecan pie bar cookies!

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