Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh

Christmas doesn’t feel right unless we’ve got a boozy treat to snack on. I can’t keep my hands off of these Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls – they might be my favorite holiday treat ever. They’re a tradition in our home. The Pecan Pie Ball have a crunchy and sweet filling that’s made with bourbon, graham cracker crumbs and maple syrup – then it’s dipped in a chocolate coating. I always add a few to my holiday tray too because they make a great gift!

If you love traditional pecan pie, this is a great twist on the dessert. It’s everything you already love about the pie, just coated in a layer of chocolate. The nutty crunch gives it great texture and the bourbon compliments the pecan flavor.

The maple syrup and the graham crackers act as a “glue” per se and keep the candy together. They’re necessary to make your Pecan Pie Balls, but add a background flavor – with a touch of sweetness.

Unlike cookies, these Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls will last throughout the holiday season. Keep them in the refrigerator and enjoy during the holidays. I like to keep some on hand for unexpected company or an easy make-ahead dessert.

Looking for more great Christmas candy recipes? Check out some of Savvy Mama Lifestyle readers favorite picks that are popular every holiday season:

• Homemade Rocky Road Candy
• Snickers Salted Peanut Candy
• Almond Drop Candy

How To Make Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls

You don’t need too many kitchen tools to make these Pecan Pie Balls. A medium mixing bowl and a cookie sheet are the two must-have items. It’s best to make room in your freezer before you make the candy, too. Lastly, I use a food processor to get my graham cracker crumbs and chopped pecans – but you can buy them already prepped!

When To Make Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls

This is a great make-ahead dessert. Make these when you’ve got an event to go to and you don’t want to do any last minute work. Obviously, these are great during the holiday season, but you can make them any time during the year. To me, pecan pie just points to Thanksgiving or Christmas season.

Make this dessert for an office party, Thanksgiving dessert, holiday cookie tray, Christmas dinner dessert, a Christmas treat exchange party or for a movie night! I love to enjoy mine with a fresh cup of coffee. They just melt in your mouth.

How To Keep Your Pecan Pie Balls Fresh

After your candy has set, you want to keep the Pecan Pie Balls in the refrigerator. They need to stay away from direct heat. The chocolate coating can easily melt. Store your candy in an airtight food storage container and put them in the refrigerator.

The Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls will stay fresh for up to a month in the fridge. Pull them out and enjoy whenever the occasion arises.

Can You Freeze These?

Yes! You can easily freeze these Pecan Pie Balls, but I recommend tossing them after three months. Transfer them to the refrigerator so they aren’t frozen when biting into them. After they’ve thawed in the refrigerator for several hours, you can enjoy them.

Do you need top-shelf bourbon?

I always say to use what you have on hand! You aren’t using anymore than 1/4 cup of bourbon. When it gets mixed into the candy, it takes on the other flavors. That’s why it’s not necessary to use top-shelf bourbon. Feel free to use your favorite brand and save the good stuff for cocktails.

Recipe Substitutions

There are several really easy recipe substitutions that you can make. Use any type of maple syrup – raw maple syrup or generic syrup. Don’t want to make them boozy? Take away the bourbon and double the amount of maple syrup. I garnished mine with Christmas sprinkles, but you can keep them plain or add a pecan half on top!

If you prefer white chocolate, you can use white chocolate chips with white chocolate coating. Don’t have any maple syrup? Light Karo Syrup works too! The taste of maple syrup is sweeter.

Lastly, I like to combine chocolate coating with semi-sweet chocolate chips. I think it gives the candy a more true chocolate flavor and less artificial. You need to use chocolate coating for the nice sheen, but adding the chips will help the flavor.

Tips For Dipping Your Pecan Pie Balls

Don’t be afraid to dip candy. There’s definitely a learning curve if you’ve never done it before. Melt your chocolate slowly over the stovetop. I don’t recommend using the microwave to melt your chocolate. You have to work fast!

I keep my Pecan Pie Balls in the freezer and only pull out a few at a time to dip. I’ll enlist little kitchen helps to transfer them from the freezer, as I work to dip them quickly. If you don’t work fast, they won’t hold their shape as they warm.

Check out this great YouTube video tutorial for dipping your candy if you’ve never done it before:

What You Need From The Grocery Store:

• Chopped Pecans
• Graham Crackers
• Light Brown Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Bourbon
• Maple Syrup
• Melted Butter
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Chocolate Coating
• Optional Garnish: Christmas sprinkles

Directions To Make Bourbon Pecan Pie Balls

In a medium mixing bowl, combine chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla, and maple syrup.

Stir to combine. Add melted butter only until the mixture comes together and can be easily shaped into balls. Don’t stress if you have leftover butter – that’s ok! You want your balls to maintain shape.

Shape pecan mixture into 1-inch balls. Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for at least 1 hour.

Over the stovetop, melt chocolate coating and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Quickly work to remove balls from freezer and dip into the chocolate. Optional: add Christmas sprinkles for garnish. Place dipped balls on wax paper and let sit until set.