Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (2024)

Make this easy gluten free, no bake bourbon balls recipe with Woodford Reserve (or rum if you prefer!) for the ultimate last minute DIY holiday gifts!

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (1)

This no bake bourbon balls recipe with Woodford Reserve allows you to create the ultimate no bake last minute DIY holiday gifts. These easy bourbon balls not only taste delicious, they’re also gluten free. So everyone can enjoy the delectable taste of chocolate and bourbon this holiday season. A delightful no bake dessert for Christmas, these bourbon balls can also be made with rum or customized with your favorite ingredients whether it be coconut or dried raspberries for a flavorful holiday treat!

How to Make No Bake Bourbon Balls

Whether you need a last minute gift to bring to a holiday party or a super last minute gift on Christmas Eve, these homemade bourbon balls are the perfect choice! Not only is this recipe for bourbon balls super easy to make, there’s also no baking required. Basically that means they are pretty fool proof. Even if you’re a slacker in the kitchen like I am. While this recipe for bourbon balls calls for nuts, you can easily omit them from the recipe if you have nut allergies.

Ingredients for Making Gluten Free Bourbon Balls

This easy bourbon balls recipe can be made with either vanilla wafers or ginger snaps. For my first batch of homemade bourbon balls, I used gluten-free Mi-Del’s Ginger Snaps. They crush really easily which makes them worth the extra $1.50 even if you don’t need gluten free bourbon balls. However, one bag will only make you one batch. For my second batch I used regular grocery store brand gingersnaps and had a heck of a time crushing them. I actually took a hammer to the outside of the bag at 9am the first year I made these. However I still ended up with some whole cookies left in the bag and lots of large chunks.

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (2)

I also used baking nuts for my recipe for bourbon balls. They were significantly cheaper than buying whole nuts from the nut aisle, especially as I wasn’t going to use an entire can. Plus it was the only way I could find them unsalted at the time. Finally, I recommend that choose your bourbon wisely. The better the booze, well, the better the ball! I specifically used Woodford Reserve for my recipe.

If you aren’t a huge fan of bourbon, you can simply swap out the bourbon with your favorite rum. These would actually be amazing with a spiced rum or a flavored rum that accents the ingredients that go into the recipe.

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (3)

Easy Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups ginger snap cookies, crushed
1/2 Cup pecan baking chips, optional
1/2 Cup confectioners sugar
1/4 Cup Woodford Reserve (or rum of choice)
2 Tablespoons baking cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons raw local honey
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Shredded coconut, chopped for dusting

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (4)

Instructions:

Crush the ginger snap cookies as much as possible then combine in a large bowl with the other ingredients. Mix well with a spatula then place in freezer to chill for about an hour.

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (5)

Once your bourbon balls have chilled, roll into about 3/4″ balls and then roll in shredded coconut to coat thoroughly. (Alternately you can use confectioner’s sugar or even dried raspberries, as pictured, instead.) Keep at it until all dough has been used.

Easy Packaging Idea for Gifting Your Bourbon Balls

For easy DIY holiday gifts, I placed about 8 balls each in a zipper sandwich bags. I then place the balls inside glassine bags for presentation and labeled them with holiday stickers. You can even add a strip of washi tape to each of your gifts with the “eat by” date.

Once made, cover and refrigerate your bourbon balls. They will keep for a week in the refrigerator so don’t make these too far ahead. Otherwise you’ll have to freeze them.

You’ll also want to keep them refrigerated when you’re not binging on them during yet another seasonal rerun of A Christmas Story.

Yield: About 42 bourbon balls

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (6)

Make this easy gluten free, no bake bourbon balls recipe with Woodford Reserve (or rum if you prefer!) for the ultimate last minute DIY holiday gifts!

Prep Time25 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Additional Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups ginger snap cookies, crushed
  • 1/2 Cup pecan baking chips, optional
  • 1/2 Cup confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Woodford Reserve (or rum of choice)
  • 2 Tablespoons baking cocoa powder
  • 2 Tablespoons raw local honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
  • Shredded coconut, chopped for dusting

Instructions

    Crush the ginger snap cookies as much as possible then combine in a large bowl with the other ingredients. Mix well with a spatula then place in freezer to chill for about an hour.

    Once your bourbon balls have chilled, roll into about 3/4″ balls and then roll in shredded coconut to coat thoroughly. (Alternately you can use confectioner’s sugar or even dried raspberries.) Keep at it until all dough has been used.

    Once made, cover and refrigerate your bourbon balls. They will keep for a week in the refrigerator so don’t make these too far ahead. Otherwise you’ll have to freeze them.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

3 balls

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 200Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 150mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (7)

More Holiday Dessert Recipes & Food Gifts

If you like my recipe for bourbon balls, then you may also want to try some of these other dessert recipes.

Or learn how to make these other boozy Christmas treats.

For more last minute DIY holiday gift ideas, be sure to follow my boards on Pinterest! You can find and follow Soap Deli News onBlog Lovin‘,facebook,twitterandinstagram. Orsign upfor my newsletter.

Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve: No Bake DIY Holiday Gifts (2024)

FAQs

Do Woodford Reserve bourbon balls need to be refrigerated? ›

They can be kept at room temperature (65-68 degrees) for several days. If they last that long, congratulations for showing unbelievable self-restraint. If you must store them in the refrigerator, seal the box in a plastic bag.

Is the alcohol cooked out of Bourbon Balls? ›

Since the balls aren't baked, the alcohol from the bourbon isn't cooked off, as it is in many other candies and desserts.

Do Woodford Bourbon Balls have alcohol? ›

Made by Ruth Hunt Candies in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, this delightfully rich bourbon candy is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon in a creme center dipped in delicious dark chocolate finished with a half pecan on top. Refridgerate or freeze recommended. Serve at room temperature.

How long can you store bourbon balls? ›

Bourbon balls will last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Storing them uncovered will result in a more defined “crust”, and storing them covered will keep them moist. To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.

Should you refrigerate Woodford Reserve? ›

Storing whiskey in the refrigerator won't harm the whiskey, but it will (temporarily) affect the flavor. I would recommend keeping whiskey in a cool (not cold) dark place like a cabinet in a climate controlled house.

Why are bourbon balls so expensive? ›

If you've ever wondered why store bought bourbon balls are expensive it's because they're time consuming. Once our filling has chilled we'll scoop it out using a small cookie scoop and then it back into the fridge to chill again.

Can kids eat bourbon balls? ›

Not for kiddos

Since bourbon balls are not cooked in any way, the Maker's Mark® in them is fully active. Difficult as it may be, don't eat too many and do keep these out of the reach of children.

Does alcohol evaporate in bourbon balls? ›

As long as you store them in an airtight container, then these will store easily in the fridge for up to a week. Of course, the alcohol, if it is in there, will evaporate some, but the flavor is still great.

Can bourbon balls be shipped? ›

As these Bon Bons are covered in rich, warm chocolate, our candy makers carefully top each piece with a perfect pecan. The secret is out, these Bourbon Balls are amazing and why we ship them across the state and to every part of the country!

What alcohol is in Woodford Reserve? ›

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (43.2% alc./vol.) Produced from whiskey selected from stocks held at Brown-Forman's distillery in Jefferson County (mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley).

What is Woodford Reserve bourbon mixed with? ›

STEP 1: Add 1.5 oz of straight bourbon whiskey, 2 oz of lemonade and 1 oz of cranberry juice to a mixing glass and stir. STEP 2: Pour over ice. STEP 3: Garnish with a lemon twist.

What are the three ingredients of bourbon? ›

The process is much like that of starting a sourdough bread. The Recipe - Bourbon is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, yeast and water.

Should bourbon be refrigerated? ›

You should keep your bourbon at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're going to drink it within a few days, you can place your container in the fridge. However, leaving bourbon in the cold for a long period of time can alter the flavors.

What is the history of bourbon balls? ›

A bourbon ball is a Southern delicacy invented by Ruth Hanly Booe of Rebecca Ruth Candy in 1938. Bourbon balls come in many different shapes, sizes, and flavors but are usually bite-sized confections incorporating bourbon and dark chocolate as the main ingredients.

Do you have to refrigerate infused bourbon? ›

Store it in the smallest possible air-tight, sealed container. Not only do you want to keep air out, but you also want to start off bottling it with as little air in it as you can. Room temperature is fine for most things, but if you're concerned (or just like cold beverages), keep your homemade infusion in the fridge.

Does Woodford Reserve bourbon go bad? ›

Bourbon does not expire, but it can go bad if it's been exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. If your bourbon has changed color, smells moldy, or tastes bitter, it's best to throw it out. Bourbon will last about six months after it's been opened.

Does bourbon need to be refrigerated? ›

You should keep your bourbon at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're going to drink it within a few days, you can place your container in the fridge. However, leaving bourbon in the cold for a long period of time can alter the flavors.

Can you get a buzz from bourbon balls? ›

While there's technically alcohol in bourbon balls, the amount is usually so small per ball that you're unlikely to actually get drunk from them. They're more about savoring that delicious hint of bourbon flavor than anything else.

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