Dark Chocolate Bourbon Balls Food

BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans in a single layer. Bake until the pecans are toasted and crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Immediate transfer to a cutting board to cool.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse together the cookie crumbs (if you are starting with whole cookies, make the crumbs now then double-check to make sure you have 2 1/2 cups).
• Add the cooled nuts and salt. Continue to pulse, until the nuts are finely ground but not completely pulverized (you want them in small bits but for them to still have a little bit of texture).
• In a small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and molasses until smooth.
• Add to the food processor bowl and pulse until just combined.
• Scoop the mixture into a bowl and give it a few stirs if the ingredients are not evenly combined. Press it into a mass. Let rest at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the crumbs to absorb some of the liquid.
• Arrange anything you'd like to roll the balls in a shallow dish (a low bowl both works well).
• Portion the dough by tablespoonfuls (I like to use a tablespoon scoop like this) and roll into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in toppings of your choice, then transfer to a storage container (or enjoy IMMEDIATELY!).

FUDGY BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the cookie crumbs and pecans until the nuts are finely ground. (The crumbs keep the nuts from turning into nut butter.)
• In a separate bowl, stir together the bourbon, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and honey. Add the mixture to food processor and pulse until just combined. Let the dough rest overnight, uncovered and at room temperature. This allows the mixture to dry out a little.
• Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter, then toss the balls in confectioners' sugar. Store them in an airtight container if you want them moist, or uncovered if you like them to develop a crunchy sugar crust on the outside. Sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar just before serving.

BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• For the bourbon balls: Pulse the vanilla wafer cookies and pecan halves in a food processor until the mixture turns to fine crumbs. Add the cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar, bourbon, corn syrup, vanilla and salt, then pulse until the mixture is thoroughly combined and holds together when squeezed.
• Scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls (each about 1 tablespoon; about 25 total) on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roll each ball between the palms of your hands so they're smooth and compact. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill and firm up slightly, about 10 minutes.
• For the coating: Meanwhile, put the chocolate and oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring halfway through, until completely melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Working one a time, use 2 forks to gently lower each bourbon ball into the chocolate mixture, turning to make sure the entire ball is coated. Let any excess chocolate drip off, then return to the baking sheet. Top with a pecan half. Return to the refrigerator until the chocolate is just set, about 5 minutes.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Bring about 1 inch of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan, making sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Let the chocolate sit until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, put the cookies in a food processor and process until finely ground (you should have about 1 1/2 cups crumbs). Pour the cookie crumbs into the chocolate. Add the figs, confectioners' sugar, bourbon, condensed milk and vanilla and stir until well blended.
• Cover and refrigerate the mixture until firm enough to roll into balls, about 45 minutes. Spread the granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape into a smooth ball and then roll in the granulated sugar. Serve at room temperature.
• Store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Combine the crushed wafers and pecans in a large bowl. Place the chopped chocolate in a separate bowl.
• In a small saucepan, combine the cream, corn syrup, and cinnamon, place over medium heat, and bring to just a boil, stirring constantly. Immediately pour the mixture over the chopped chocolate and whisk to blend in the cream as the chocolate melts. Let cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then whisk in the bourbon.
• Pour the chocolate mixture over the crumb-nut mixture and stir well to combine. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Form the mixture into balls with a small melon baller (about 2 teaspoons), roll in coatings if desired, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 1 week.

CHOCOLATE BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Place chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on half power for one minute. Stir, and continue microwaving on half power, check every 30 seconds, until completely melted (approx. 2-3 minutes). Stir in corn syrup and bourbon.
• In large bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, confectioners' sugar, and chopped nuts. Blend in chocolate mixture until all dry ingredients have been well moistened. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Form 1" balls and roll in granulated sugar to coat.
• Store in covererd container at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE-BOURBON TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Set a stainless steel mixing bowl over a pan of boiling water to make a double boiler. Put chocolate, cream and salt in bowl and heat until chocolate is completely melted, about 15 minutes.
• Add vanilla and bourbon and whisk thoroughly, until mixture is smooth and shiny. Pour into a pie plate or baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Use a melon baller or soup spoon to make rough 1/2-ounce spheres. Roll between cocoa-dusted palms, then in crushed nuts. Refrigerate, but don't serve them ice cold; remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter/margarine in microwave in medium bowl Mix in sugar, nuts and bourbon.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• After chilled, shape into 1-inch balls.
• Refrigerate again until firm.
• Melt chocolate chips and half-and-half together in microwave (at medium-high (70%) for about 1-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until chips are melted) or in double boiler.
• When your mixture is homogenized, drizzle chocolate over candies.
• (You may want to let chocolate mixture cool slighly, but not to the point of solidifying.) Alternately, I believe the balls could be dipped in the sauce.
• Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it liquid.
• Chill on waxed paper.