bourbon balls

Brian's favorite liquor is bourbon.  He can tell you all about it, and has sampled an extensive amount.  I'm not a huge fan, unless it's an ingredient in cookies, or mint juleps.  When Brian was deployed to Iraq, I (or anyone else) was not allowed to send any kind of alcohol.  But I did send bourbon balls.  By they time they reached Brian, they were cured to the point of being ignitable.  Pretty sure I bent the rules there.  Don't tell.  This year I got a request from a friend for my recipe (hi Jo!).  I really really meant to get these done before now, but it just didn't happen.

So here they are, better late than never!  And they are really good!  Just a warning: they are not baked, so the liquor doesn't get baked out.  They are little drunken balls, so not really appropriate for littles.  Which really made Rowan mad since she tried to lick the whisk and steal a ball or two.  If you'd like to try these drunken balls yourself, you'll need the following.

1 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar
2 T  unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup bourbon
2 T light corn syrup
2 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
colored sugars or sprinkles
makes about 50 balls

Whisk together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder until mixed.

Stir together the bourbon and the corn syrup until well blended.

Pour into the sugar and cocoa mixture, and stir.

Mix the wafers and pecans.

Fold into the cocoa bourbon mixture.

Roll into 1 inch balls, and roll balls in confectioners' sugar, sprinkles or colored sugar.

Lay on waxed paper while working, and then keep in an airtight container until ready to serve.

And that's it!  So easy, and such a crowd pleaser.  Perfect for a little treat on Christmas or for New Year's Eve.  Enjoy!