Easy No Bake Bourbon Balls

These are one of the easiest no-bake cookies and remind me so much of the holiday as my mom would make them for my dad. He would plop a couple of these balls of bourbon goodness into his coat pocket when he would go outside on a wintry day to work on the farm. He said they helped keep him warm.

Dad only got them at Christmas time, but they are so simple and probably the most glorious no  bake cookie known to man.

VERY FEW INGREDIENTS TO A FABULOUS COOKIE

A food processor makes quick work of them.  I know I tried to make them decades ago before I had a food processor and I can't imagine now making them like they did before the advent of that particular kitchen wizardry.

PERFECT CONSISTENCY THANKS TO MY FOOD PROCESSOR

Adding the vanilla wafers....yes, good 'ol vanilla wafers, cocoa powder, pecans and bourbon (or other liquor of your choice) to the well of your food processor, blitzing until homogenous, rolling into balls then into sugar or cocoa powder and....wait, that's it.  

ROLL IN COCOA POWDER OR CANE SUGAR

Ok, you do have to let them sit refrigerated for a couple days.  That is definitely the hardest part.  Stare at them in your fridge.  Visit them from time to time.  Wish them well, then 2 days later devour.

Make these in time to set out for your Christmas spread and all the grown ups will thank you.  They'll be wanting little take home tins, so you may want to actually double this recipe.  You'll be moved up a notch or two on the popularity scale.  You're welcome!

Crazy Easy Bourbon Balls
(adults only)
Makes about 4 dozen depending on the size of your scoop.


3 cups crushed vanilla wafers (you can blitz in the food processor to get to this amount)
1 cup pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup cocoa powder or raw cacao
1/2 cup bourbon
1/4 cup light corn syrup, honey or maple syrup
Cane sugar or extra cocoa powder to roll balls in.


Blitz the vanilla wafers in a food processor until fine crumbs are formed.
Add the pecans and blitz again.
Add in cocoa powder, bourbon and corn syrup and blitz until well combined and the mixture comes together into a dough that you can press together into a ball shape.

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I use a 3/4 inch scoop to make evenly sized small balls.  Roll in your hands then  roll in cane sugar or raw cacao (I use both for 2 different finishes to these).


Cover and refrigerate for a couple of days before serving.  This gives them time for the vanilla wafer crumbs to soften and meld together with all the other ingredients.


Serve (adults only)