Ingredients

The following ingredients have 22 Servings
  • One (6.7-ounce) package chocolate wafers
  • 3/4 cup pecan halves
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (lightly spooned into the cup and leveled off) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened alkalized cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 to 3 tablespoons bourbon (preferably Maker’s Mark*)
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for coating the balls)

Instruction

  • If using the food processor method, add some of the wafers to the processor, working in several batches, and pulverize each batch into fine crumbs. Empty them into a large bowl. Process the pecans with the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa until finely ground. Divvy the butter into 3 pieces and add it to the nut mixture along with the corn syrup. Process until combined. Add this mixture to the cookie crumbs in the bowl and, using your fingertips or a wooden spoon, mix until evenly incorporated.If using the hand method, smash the wafers into fine crumbs by placing them in a resealable plastic freezer bag and rolling with a rolling pin. Empty the crumbs into a large bowl. Finely grate the pecans. (Yes, we just told you to GRATE nuts. Try it.) Add the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa to the cookie crumbs in the bowl and mix until evenly incorporated. Divvy the butter into 3 pieces and add it to the cookie crumbs along with the pecans and corn syrup. With a wooden spoon, stir until uniform in consistency.
  • Add 1 1/2 tablespoons bourbon to the mixture. With a wooden spoon, stir the mixture until it is uniform in consistency and begins to clean the bowl. If the mixture seems a little crumbly or too dry to hold together, add a little more of the remaining bourbon, a teaspoon at a time. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to absorb evenly. Add more bourbon if needed (or desired!).
  • Scoop out level tablespoons (3/4 oz | 20 g each) of the bourbon ball mixture and gently roll and press it between the palms of your hands to shape it into balls (about 1 1/4 inches| 3 cm).
  • Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Add 1 ball at a time and roll it around for a while in the sugar until completely coated. We find the coating to be most attractive when dipped 3 times. If the sugar starts to disappear, roll them around in the sugar some more. Place the balls in an airtight container lined with paper towels or crumpled parchment paper. Cover and let rest at room temperature for at least a few days to allow the flavors to meld. You can keep them for up to 6 weeks.