Classic Kentucky bourbon balls are delectable little confections made with vanilla wafer crumbs, bourbon, and cocoa along with chopped pecans.

This recipe belonged to my mother-in-law who was born and raised in Kentucky. I’m a Northern girl and not familiar with many Southern recipes. This particular recipe is a great introduction to a Southern confection. If you’ve never dabbled with any type of Southern cooking this is a good place to start. I don’t see any reason why you can’t start with the sweet things! Around the holidays these treats are popular and because they are no-bake they are very easy to prepare. It takes approximately a half-hour to make these.

• 1 cup finely crushed vanilla wafers (30-36)
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa
• 4 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• granulated sugar for coating

• Directions

  1. Place vanilla wafers in blender and grind until finely crushed
  2. Pour finely crushed vanilla wafers into a large mixing bowl
  3. Place chopped pecans in blender and grind until large pieces are gone
  4. Pour chopped pecans into large bowl with crushed vanilla wafers
  5. Add confectioners’ sugar and cocoa to mixture
  6. Mix
  7. Add corn syrup and bourbon and combine everything together
  8. Mix well
  9. With wet hands shape into 1 inch balls
  10. Roll in granulated sugar

  Store bourbon balls in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

• Makes approximately 3 dozen