Five Minute Bourbon Balls

These Five Minute Bourbon Balls mix up in a jiffy, and improve upon standing. A real classic that makes your holiday even more festive!

Five Minute Bourbon Balls

This year my Christmas candy wish list is bigger than ever!  It’s making a real mess of things in my kitchen, but in the end those dirty dishes are usually worth it.  Of course, if I had my preference every candy recipe would be just like this one – easy, delicious, and my kitchen didn’t suffer any turmoil.  And it’s a seasonal favorite to boot!

5 Minutes to a Classic!

I mixed these up in five minutes flat, and in about five more I had them all rolled out and stored in a tin. You can eat them immediately, but they improve upon standing. In about three days’ time the boozy edge will mellow and the bourbon flavor will be more developed. I plan to make several batches ahead of time to give as Christmas gifts.

Five Minute Bourbon Balls

Anything that can be made ahead is tops in my book! The holiday season is filled with a flurry of activity, and knowing I can make these ahead is a relief!

Five Minute Bourbon Balls

Choose your Ingredients Wisely

Since these Five Minute Bourbon Balls only have five ingredients, I’d urge you to use best of each. I used quality chocolate, local honey and a fine Kentucky bourbon. Keep these guys tightly closed in a tin for longevity and they’ll keep for up to four weeks!

Be sure to check out my Pecan Bourbon Ball recipe on HGTV.com also – very similar recipe!

Edit 12/22/17 – This year I made these with shortbread crumbs (Walker’s brand) and black walnuts – they were Ah-Mazing! Black walnuts are a southern favorite, and if you haven’t ever tasted them be sure to do so before adding them to this recipe. They can be an acquired taste.

Related recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Snowballs

Five Minute Bourbon Balls

Heather Baird
Adapted from a vintage Betty Crocker microwave cookbook. A classic holiday candy made easier!
These candies mellow over time as they stand. Store them in an airtight tin.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Southern United States
Servings 26

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs or shortbread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 cups ground walnuts
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon whiskey Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon

Instructions
 

  • Pour 1/2 cup of the ground walnuts in a small bowl and set aside for later use.
  • Mix chocolate chips and honey in a 1 1/2 quart microwaveable bowl. Heat in the microwave at full power 1-2 minutes, until the mixture can be stirred smooth with no lumps remaining.
  • Stir in ground vanilla wafers, walnuts and whiskey. Stir; mixture should be quite thick. Scoop out mixture by the level tablespoons and roll into balls. Roll in reserved 1/2 cup of ground walnuts. Store tightly in a covered container. Flavor will fully develop over four days. Stored properly, these will keep up to 4 weeks.

Notes

If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate and honey over medium-low heat in a saucepan. This may take a little longer (you’ll have to abandon the 5 minute moniker) but it’ll be worth the time and effort!
Keyword ground walnuts, nilla wafers, wild turkey kentucky bourbon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Tieghan
Tieghan
10 years ago

Oh these are Awesome!! I love holiday baking or un-baking!!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

I wonder would these work with a ginger snap, those wonderful Anna's thin ginger cookies or Biscoff? I am thinking the flavor might be really good with the bourbon. What do you think?

Mary
Mary
1 year ago
Reply to  Unknown

sounds heavenly to me!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

I am knee deep in Christmas baking too. Nothing better than scent of ginger bread to perfume the house and bring warmth into the kitchen.
Such a cute idea! I really love the coating on the outside. I am sucker for the texture

Ashley
Ashley
10 years ago

These looks scrumptious! I will be making these for Christmas!

Tania
Tania
10 years ago

So delicious! Love them!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
10 years ago

These look perfect! And 5 minute desserts are always a good idea!

Tricia Buice
Tricia Buice
10 years ago

I agree – bourbon balls are better after sitting for a while – but who can wait? We love them for breakfast or anytime! Your recipe sounds great and they are beautiful!

Running In Boise
Running In Boise
10 years ago

I have half the ingredients. Looks like I'll be going to the store to get what I need today!

EMily
EMily
10 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

EMily
EMily
10 years ago

Anyone tried these with a different nut? I hate walnuts but was thinking maybe almonds?

LadyRae
LadyRae
2 years ago
Reply to  EMily

Try them with pecans. They came out prefect. But I soaked the pecans for an hour before adding them.

Mary
Mary
1 year ago
Reply to  EMily

Walnuts are good with bourbon balls!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

@Christine – gingersnaps would be great in these!

@EMily – most any other nut would work, pecans, almonds, cashews. Yesterday I recommended ground sunflower seeds to a reader who had concerns about serving these to allergy sensitive friends.

Tracy | Pale Yellow
Tracy | Pale Yellow
10 years ago

I love fast, easy treats! Especially if they have bourbon inside! It's time to start holiday baking!

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

These look so delicious! I'd love it if you would link them up to my Recipe Writers link up!

http://www.sewmuch2say.com/2013/12/recipe-writers-christmas-cookie-link-up.html
Amanda Rose

Diane
Diane
10 years ago

I have made these using ground pecans and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. They're delicious!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Will these work with rum, Heather? Or will it go "bad"?
Nila

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

Hi Nila! Yes, please feel free to use rum. They should keep just the same as the bourbon version.

-h

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Just made these as a part of my christmas cookie batch, even though they're not a cookie, but it involved whiskey so these were a must.

They are fantastic and I'm making another batch! There is just the right amount of every ingredient.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

These are really good! I toasted the walnuts first and used graham cracker crumbs (because that's all I had).

Mary Anne
Mary Anne
9 years ago

These look good! I am not overly fond of whiskey or bourbon, so I will try a variation using Sailor Jerry rum and a splash of Chambord on dehydrated cherries for centers and finish / roll in chopped almonds…

Rebecca Orr
Rebecca Orr
8 years ago

Yep, it is official. I need to make these for Christmas this year. My grandfather would devour (err….savor!) them.

izabi
izabi
8 years ago

Can't wait to try them! I think I'm gonna make them for Christmas 😉

Anonymous
Anonymous
7 years ago

These look delicious, and Bourbon Balls are a good choice as the Kentucky treat…..BUT, as a native Kentuckian, I have never seen a Bourbon Ball that has not been dipped in semi-sweet chocolate. More trouble to make, I know, but there is something special about the combination of chocolate and bourbon (especially when you use Maker's Mark!)

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
7 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Maybe you should try these for something different! 😉

Mary
Mary
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

I’m in California and I’ve never heard of a bourbon ball dipped in chocolate, but it does sound delightful!

Unknown
Unknown
6 years ago

I am a native Kentuckian also. My Grandmother made bourbon balls at Christmas. She used cocoa instead of melted chocolate and sugar instead of honey. She rolled them in powdered sugar. My husband and I love this version. I have also made chocolate covered bourbon balls but with a cream center.

Thank you for this yummy recipe!

Taunya
Taunya
3 years ago

Can these be stored in the freezer?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
3 years ago
Reply to  Taunya

Yes!