During the holidays, we make countless batches of chocolate bourbon truffles. These bourbon balls deliver the nostalgia and memories of Christmas at grandma's house.
recipe originally published November 26, 2012
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Why you'll love these chocolate bourbon balls
Chocolate bourbon truffles are always included in our holiday cookie trays and boxes. One of the most requested from our friends, too - holiday party invites may as well be addressed to us and a bourbon ball...
- Flavor: Chocolate bourbon balls have a caramel like center and a rich chocolate coating.
- Texture: A perfect melt in your mouth, chewy bite.
- Method: A truly easy recipe with a simple ingredient list! 7 minutes or less of active prep, with some waiting time.
See the simple ingredient list, you may already have everything to make these:
How to make this recipe
Bourbon truffle balls are a simple no bake dessert. You make the bourbon-caramel base on the stovetop. The longest time required is waiting for the bourbon ball mixture to cool and set, then you roll into balls. Dust the truffles with cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or even coat in melted chocolate!
This easy recipe method gives all the ingredient substitutions and ways to customize your bourbon ball.
Variations to the bourbon balls recipe
I prefer this chocolate bourbon truffle recipe as is. The warm flavors taste exactly as they always have with the family recipe I grew up with.
- Rum: If you are not a bourbon fan, this recipe can be made as a rum ball instead.
- Coating: For a different look, roll the bourbon ball or rum ball in powdered sugar instead of cocoa powder.
- Chocolate: For even more chocolate, dip these bourbon truffles in melted chocolate.
Zero Proof option for bourbon balls
To make bourbon balls without bourbon, you can use several ingredient alternatives. Add one tablespoon of whiskey flavoring, or vanilla extract in place of the bourbon. Add an tablespoon or two of the water as needed.
There are several zero proof spirits that would work very well in this recipe. Apple cider makes a delicious truffle as well, or you can simply add more water in place of the bourbon.
Should bourbon balls be refrigerated?
Yes! I keep these refrigerated in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid.
My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy chocolate bourbon truffles within a week.
Did you make these bourbon balls?
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Chocolate Bourbon Truffles
These bourbon balls are a rich and impressive, party ready dessert.
Ingredients
- 6 large Medjool dates, pitted
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 ounces dark chocolate pieces or bar, chopped
- unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- In saucepan over medium heat, combine pitted Medjool dates with bourbon.
- As the dates warm, continually stir with bourbon and mash into a paste, adding water by the tablespoon as needed until a smooth paste forms.
- Reduce heat to low, add vanilla and chopped chocolate and stir until chocolate melts to a smooth consistency.
- Remove bourbon ball mixture from heat and allow to cool. Transfer to covered container and refrigerate several hours to overnight.
- Once bourbon ball mixture is set from refrigeration, add cocoa powder to a shallow bowl or dish.
- Spoon small amounts of bourbon ball mixture and roll into balls, just under one inch in size.
- Roll through cocoa powder to coat completely.
- Return to refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Why you'll love these chocolate bourbon balls
Chocolate bourbon truffles are always included in our holiday cookie trays and boxes. One of the most requested from our friends, too - holiday party invites may as well be addressed to us and a bourbon ball...
- Flavor: Chocolate bourbon balls have a caramel like center and a rich chocolate coating.
- Texture: A perfect melt in your mouth, chewy bite.
- Method: A truly easy recipe with a simple ingredient list! 7 minutes or less of active prep, with some waiting time.
Variations to the bourbon balls recipe
I prefer this chocolate bourbon truffle recipe as is. The warm flavors taste exactly as they always have with the family recipe I grew up with.Â
- Rum: If you are not a bourbon fan, this recipe can be made as a rum ball instead.Â
- Coating: For a different look, roll the bourbon ball or rum ball in powdered sugar instead of cocoa powder.
- Chocolate: For even more chocolate, dip these bourbon truffles in melted chocolate.
Zero Proof option for bourbon balls
To make bourbon balls without bourbon, you can use several ingredient alternatives. Add one tablespoon of whiskey flavoring, or vanilla extract in place of the bourbon. Add an tablespoon or two of the water as needed.
There are several zero proof spirits that would work very well in this recipe. Apple cider makes a delicious truffle as well, or you can simply add more water in place of the bourbon.
Should bourbon balls be refrigerated?
Yes! I keep these refrigerated in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid.Â
My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy chocolate bourbon truffles within a week.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
2 trufflesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 80
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Brenda says
Hi,
Recipe sounds so yummy! I only ever worked with chopped dates. If I can't find the dates you mentioned, would any kind work?
Many thanks.
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Brenda, I think any (dried) date would work, chopped probably "melt" down faster into paste! Enjoy!
veganlinda says
I love DDL! I can't wait to see Lincoln. We have a local co-op theater that has nooch as a popcorn option.
Kristina Sloggett says
sounds like my kind of theater - awesome! you will LOVE Lincoln, DDL was amazing.
kristy @ Gastronomical Sovereignty says
i ADORE james spader! and bourbon! and you! 😉
also, last great movie i saw: Life of Pi. The book is by far, my favorite book in the world. i adore the crap out of yann martel and all his books. The film FELT like him. it was less violent, but you still got the idea. and the rest of it was so close and clever to the book .... go see it. but read the book first.
Kristina Sloggett says
we are planning to see the movie - glad to hear it is *less* violent than the book, but still true to the writing. I love James Spader too, his role in Lincoln was a GOOD one! XO!
Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil says
These look absolutely wonderful. I would be thrilled to get these as a gift!
I was a history major, so Lincoln is on my must see list. Especially now!
Kristina Sloggett says
yes, I think you will LOVE Lincoln, then! I want to see it again, it was so good!
Chris says
I very much like the sounds of it!
Carli says
I listened to an interview recently where Sally Fields said she gained 25 lbs to do this role. She also said it was her favorite role ever.
Thank you for the recipe! So yummy!
Sherry says
You got me at chocolate...well, and bourbon! LOVE the sound of these. Looking forward to trying them. Came by from An Edible Mosaic. Looking forward to following along.
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Sherry, great to 'meet' you, and look forward to getting to know you! I hope you do try these truffles, they could not be much easier, and they are oh so good! cheers!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Oh yum! LOVE truffles! Your chocolate bourbon and caramel combo sounds like heaven!
Kristina Sloggett says
they are the truffle form of Heaven, yes. 😉
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
For some reason Lincoln is not a movie on my list, although I know everyone wants to see it. Twilight, however, is on my list. Yes, I'm really a teenager. 😉
Kristina Sloggett says
haa HAA - okay my friend, this is where we can agree to disagree 😉
Caroline says
we saw Lincoln three times so far LOL. I am a history buff too, I think Danial Dey Lewis did a good job!
Kristina Sloggett says
he really did - do I hear Oscar calling? 😉