Description
These Cherry Bourbon Extract Balls are a delightful no-bake treat combining the rich flavors of cherry bourbon essence with a crunchy nut and graham cracker base, all coated in smooth semi-sweet chocolate. Perfect for parties or as a sophisticated dessert bite, these balls offer a blend of sweet, nutty, and slightly boozy flavors with an easy preparation method.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup finely crushed graham crackers
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup Cherry Bourbon Extract (or non-alcoholic substitute)
Coating
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (for coating)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of finely crushed graham crackers, ½ cup of chopped nuts, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Stir them together until well blended.
- Melt Butter and Mix Extract: In a separate bowl, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter. Once melted, mix in ½ cup of Cherry Bourbon Extract (or your non-alcoholic substitute) and stir until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed. If the mixture feels too dry, add a bit more Cherry Bourbon Extract to reach the desired consistency.
- Form Balls: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you work.
- Chill: Refrigerate the formed balls for at least 30 minutes. This helps them firm up and makes the coating process easier.
- Melt Chocolate: While the balls are chilling, melt 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate using a microwave in short bursts or a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
- Coat Balls in Chocolate: Remove the chilled balls from the refrigerator. Using a fork, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, letting any excess chocolate drip off before returning them to the parchment paper.
- Set Coating: Allow the chocolate coating to harden by letting the balls sit at room temperature or refrigerating them for quicker setting.
Notes
- You can substitute the Cherry Bourbon Extract with a non-alcoholic cherry flavor extract for a kid-friendly or alcohol-free version.
- Chopped nuts can be walnuts, pecans, or any preferred nuts to customize the flavor and texture.
- If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more powdered sugar to help it bind.
- The balls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a festive touch, sprinkle some crushed nuts or decorative sprinkles on the chocolate coating before it sets.
