Jim Beam Bourbon Balls Food

BEST BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• By hand mix the sugar, butter, pecans and bourbon. Start off with a good splash of bourbon then add tiny bits if too dry. I've never once measured the bourbon and I've been making these since I was about 5, helping mom.
• Work mixture until smooth. The mixture should be stiff, not soggy, pliable but not crumbly. I hope that makes sense.
• Pinch a tiny bit of mix and roll it in the palm of your hand into a ball. The perfect size ball is a two-biter (a little less than an inch.)
• Place on cookie sheets and set aside to air dry. You should not freeze these to firm them quickly, just let them air dry a couple of hours.
• Melt chocolates, paraffin and shortening in the microwave 30 seconds at a time.
• Stir at end of each 30 seconds.
• It will take about 4-5 minutes to melt everything.
• Using a salad or cocktail fork place the ball on the end of the fork and dip into chocolate.
• Don't prick the end with the fork or a toothpick to dip as some recommend.
• Let drain and put back on the cookie sheet.
• You may top with a half or whole pecan at this point. This will make about 120 pieces at this size.
• When chocolate has set, take a knife and slide under the balls. This makes them come out smooth compared to just picking them up.
• Place each piece in a foil or paper fluted candy cup and place in an airtight container.
• Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve or give as gifts.

BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet, and place in the oven for 3 minutes. For even toasting, turn the tray, front to back. Toss the nuts with a metal spatula and bake for another 3 minutes. You'll know they're done when they give off their fragrant aroma, and be sure to check them so they don't become overbaked or charred.
• In a food processor, chop the vanilla wafers into crumbs. Add the pecans and process just until they are finely chopped. In a medium bowl, mix together the crumb-pecan mixture, 1/4 cup of the cocoa, and 1/4 cup of the confectioners' sugar. Add the corn syrup and bourbon. Mix thoroughly. Sift the remaining 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar onto a large plate. Form the crumb mixture into 3/4-inch balls and roll them through the cocoa-sugar to coat. Store in a sealed container for up to 5 days. If necessary, touch them up with a light dusting of the remaining confectioners' sugar.

BANGIN' BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Cream the butter and sugar to form a fondant.
• Add the dash of salt and whiskey to taste (NOTE: Not all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon -- i.e. Scotch whiskey, Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, etc . Makers Mark and Jim Beam are wonderful bourbons. . I prefer Jim for this recipe. The difference is the distilling process. If you want to know more about the difference, check out the Maker's Mark website.) Mix well.
• Roll a tablespoon of fondant around 1 pecan half. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate 8 hours or until firm.
• Melt chocolate and cool until easily handled.
• Dip the balls, letting the excess drip off. Place back on the waxed paper.
• Chill 1 hour or until chocolate is set. Store in an airtight container either in a very cool place or the refrigerator.

BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Finely crush vanilla sugar wafers in a food processor and measure out 3 cups worth.
• Finely crush 1 cup of whole pecans in a food processor.
• Mix wafers, nuts, powdered sugar, and cocoa.
• Stir in bourbon and corn syrup.
• Using a teaspoon to help gather mixture for each ball, shape mixture into 3/4" to 1" balls.
• Rolls balls in powdered sugar. I do this by dropping batches of the balls into a ziplock bag with a bit of powdered sugar in it. Refill some sugar into ziplock bag as needed.
• Refrigerate in tightly covered containers several days before serving (though they are very yummy right away!).
• Makes about 5 to 8 dozen balls.

JIM BEAM BOURBON BALLS

Steps:

• Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon and vanilla.
• Sprinkle chocolate over cream and allow to set without stirring for 5-6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the pecans in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add pound cake cubes and pulse until pecans and cake are finely chopped.
• Stir the chocolate and cream until smooth. Pour the chocolate over the pound cake mixture in the food processor and pulse until combined. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until firm enough to scoop, about 1 hour.
• Sift cocoa and powdered sugar together in medium bowl. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of bourbon-chocolate mixture and roll to form a ball. Roll ball around in cocoa-powdered sugar mixture to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining bourbon-chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. These look great placed in mini paper muffin/candy cups.