In the Bluegrass State, bourbon balls get a chocolaty upgrade.

These no-bake candies are easy to make and impressive to serve.

And they keep well in the fridge or freezerthat is, unless you devour every last one first.

Kentucky Bourbon Balls plated and ready to serve

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What is the best bourbon for this recipe?

Our test kitchen prepared this recipe using Makers Mark.

Other Kentucky bourbons to try include Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls ingredients

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Yes,bourbon ballshave alcohol in themjust as the name suggests.

Can You Freeze Bourbon Balls?

To store in the freezer, first freeze the balls on a baking tray until frozen.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls on platters to serve

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Then, transfer them to an air-tight container or zipper bag for longer-term storage.

More Bourbon Dessert Recipes

Ingredients

1/2cuptoastedchopped pecans

1/2cupKentuckybourbon

1/2cup(4 oz.

)unsalted butter, softened

1(1-lb.)

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls chopped pecans soaking in bourbon

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Prepare pans:

Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.

Freeze, uncovered, until firm, about 15 minutes.

(Alternatively, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours.)

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls lining the baking sheets with parchment paper

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Place chocolate in a dry medium-sized heatproof bowl.

Set bowl over saucepan, making sure bottom of bowl does not touch water.

Melt chocolate, stirring often, until smooth, about 8 minutes.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls beating butter and powdered sugar together

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Dip bourbon balls in chocolate:

Remove bourbon balls from freezer (or refrigerator.)

Using a fork, dip bourbon ball in melted chocolate.

Transfer dipped bourbon ball to second prepared baking sheet by flipping over to remove from fork.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls after adding the rest of the ingredients

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Top with a pecan.

Repeat process with remaining bourbon balls and melted chocolate.

Chill, uncovered, at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls scooping the mixture onto baking sheets

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Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

This recipe also calls for unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.

It is unlikely that anyone could catch a serious buzz from bourbon balls.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls bringing the water up to a simmer

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Yes, this recipe does call for a half cup of bourbon.

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls adding the chocolate to the double boiler

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Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls chocolate melted in the double boiler

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Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls dipping the balls in chocolate

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Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls adding the pecans to the tops of the balls

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Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Balls finished on the baking sheet

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