Marry Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls — they’re boozy little cookie things that somehow feel classy and chaotic at the same time. no baking. no eggs. just mash it all together, roll it up, and cover it in sugar or nuts or whatever you’ve got. they’re sweet, soft, a little crunchy, a little dangerous. you’ve been warned.
Jump to RecipeIngredients Needed
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers: crushed into dust.
- 1 cup toasted walnuts: toasty makes all the difference.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: the sweet glue.
- ½ tsp kosher salt: balances it. don’t skip.
- ½ cup bourbon: the magic.
- 2 tbsp maple syrup: adds depth. sticky too.
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste: or extract. bean paste is just fancier.
- Coatings: cocoa powder, powdered sugar, nonpareils, chopped toasted walnuts, chopped pistachios — mix it up.
How To Make Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls
Crush the Dry Stuff:
Throw the vanilla wafers and toasted walnuts into a food processor. Pulse until it’s all crumbs. Add powdered sugar and salt. Pulse a bit more. Looks boring now but hold on.
Add the Wet Stuff:
Dump it all in a big bowl. Pour in the bourbon, maple syrup, and vanilla paste. Mix it with a spatula. It’ll look way too wet at first but just keep mixing.
Roll ‘Em:
Grab a tablespoon of the mixture, roll into a ball. Sticky? Yeah. That’s fine. Chill it a bit if it’s too annoying.
Coat ‘Em:
Roll each ball in whatever coating you like. Powdered sugar for soft vibes. Cocoa powder if you’re dramatic. Nonpareils if you’re feeling festive. Walnuts or pistachios for crunch. No wrong answers.
Chill or Serve:
Eat right away if you’re impatient. Otherwise, fridge them for a bit. They’re better cold. They also get stronger as they sit. Just saying.
Recipe Tips
- Toast your walnuts. Seriously. Do it.
- If it’s too soft to roll, toss it in the fridge for 30 mins.
- Try mixing up the coatings. Keeps it interesting.
- Want it sweeter? Add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Bourbon balls taste stronger the next day. in a good way.
How to Store Leftovers
Fridge: Airtight container. Good for 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight.
Nutrition Facts (Approx. per ball)
- Calories: 113 kcal
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbs: 9 g
- Fibre: 1 g
- Sugar: 5 g
FAQs
Can I make these without bourbon?
Then they’re not bourbon balls, but yeah — swap with apple juice or orange juice if needed.
Do these get you drunk?
Nope, unless you eat like 40. But you will taste the bourbon.
Can I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Sure. Any nut works. Just toast them first.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
They’ll hold up on the counter a few hours, but fridge is best for texture and flavor.
Can kids eat these?
Nope. They’ve got uncooked bourbon. Make something else for the kids.
Pioneer Woman Bourbon Balls Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy20
servings30
minutes113
kcalBoozy, sweet, and no-bake — these bourbon balls mix crushed vanilla wafers, toasted nuts, maple syrup, and bourbon into a bite-sized holiday (or anytime) treat.
Ingredients
1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers
1 cup toasted walnuts
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
½ cup bourbon
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Coatings: cocoa powder, powdered sugar, nonpareils, chopped walnuts, pistachios
Directions
- Process wafers + walnuts into crumbs. Mix with sugar + salt.
- Add bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Scoop into 1-inch balls. Roll in coating of choice.
- Place on parchment-lined tray. Chill or eat right away.
- Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze for later.
Notes
- Chill mixture if it’s too soft to handle.
- Use fresh, toasted nuts for best flavor.
- Bourbon flavor gets stronger overnight.
- Mix up the coatings for fun variety.
