Description
Sinful pecan pie balls bring Southern charm to bite-sized dessert perfection. Rolled with rich pecans, bourbon, and graham cracker crumbs, these delectable treats will melt in your mouth and transport you to sweet comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon (or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning, about 3-4 minutes.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine the toasted pecans, finely ground graham cracker crumbs, rich brown sugar, and a pinch of salt until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Introduce liquid components: drizzle maple syrup, bourbon (or non-alcoholic apple juice alternative), and pure vanilla extract into the dry mixture.
- Gently fold and press ingredients together until the mixture achieves a cohesive, moldable consistency that maintains its shape when compressed.
- Using clean hands or a small cookie scoop, craft uniform spherical formations approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing each on a parchment-lined tray.
- Refrigerate the unbaked balls for 30 minutes, allowing them to solidify and develop structural integrity.
- Melt chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave, stirring periodically to ensure smooth consistency and prevent scorching.
- Delicately immerse each chilled pecan sphere into melted chocolate, ensuring complete or partial coverage based on personal preference.
- Return chocolate-coated balls to parchment paper, allowing excess chocolate to drip off naturally.
- Expedite chocolate setting by placing tray in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes until chocolate hardens completely.
- Store decorated pecan pie balls in an hermetically sealed container within refrigerator, maintaining freshness for up to one week.
Notes
- Swap bourbon with apple juice for a kid-friendly version that maintains the same delightful sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty richness and create a more complex, aromatic profile for the balls.
- Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a more sophisticated taste and lower sugar content, making these treats slightly healthier.
- Roll balls in crushed graham crackers or cocoa powder for an alternative coating that adds extra texture and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg