Chocolatey, boozy, and just the right amount of indulgent, these easy no-bake Bourbon Balls have earned their spot as a holiday staple. They’re simple to make and even easier to eat, making them a favorite on every cookie tray.

Bourbon balls are one of my favorite holiday traditions. They’re rich, indulgent, and incredibly easy to make, with no baking required! Whether you’re making them as a last-minute addition to your cookie tray or packaging them up as edible gifts, these little bites of spiced rum are always a hit. Plus, they’re wonderfully versatile – you can adjust the flavors to suit your taste.

Speaking of adjusting, even the liquor is easy to adjust! In my family, my grandmother loved bourbon balls and my mother made her a big batch every year. It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized for most people, these are actually rum balls, made with rum instead. Either way, they’re delicious and you can make whichever version you prefer! (Like my grandmother, I’m team Bourbon Ball.)

And really, alcohol isn’t even necessary – these are equally delicious without any at all. So whatever your preference, let’s make some festive, easy, delicious Bourbon Balls (or rum balls, or no bake crush nut balls)!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Crushed Cookies: I like to make these with crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers, but Biscoff cookies, gingersnaps, or even chocolate cookies make a delicious twist! Use a gluten-free cookie base to keep these bourbon balls gluten-free.
• Chopped Nuts: Pecans are classic (and my personal favorite), but chopped walnuts or almonds work well, too.
• Powdered Sugar
• Cocoa Powder: You can use either Dutch-processed or natural unsweetened cocoa powder for these.
• Alcohol: As mentioned above, bourbon or rum are both delicious options. For an alcohol-free version, try orange juice or apple cider.
• Honey: Honey helps bind together the ingredients and adds a little chewy taste. Light corn syrup is a good substitute.
• Vanilla Extract
• Coatings: Roll the balls in additional powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or finely shredded coconut.

How to Make Bourbon Balls

1. Crush the Cookies: Use a food processor to finely crush the cookies into crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
2. Mix the Ingredients: Combine the graham crackers, chopped nuts, powdered sugar, and cooca powder in a large bowl and mix well. Stir in the bourbon, honey, and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough comes together. The mixture should be moist, but not sticky.

3. Chill the Dough: If you have time, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes. This step makes it a little easier to roll the dough into balls.
4. Shape Into Balls: Using a small cookie scoop, form the dough into small balls with about a tablespoon of dough. Roll the dough between your palms to form a ball. Refrigerate the balls to help them firm up.

5. Coat the Bourbon Balls: Roll the balls in your desired coating, pressing gently to adhere. Store the balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight (ideally 24 hours) before serving.

Rest for Best Flavor

The key to truly delicious bourbon balls or rum balls is patience. During the resting period, the flavors meld and intensify. The moisture from the bourbon and honey also softens the cookie crumbs slightly, creating a fudgier texture. Skipping the overnight rest won’t ruin your bourbon balls, but giving them time to rest takes them from good to great!

One of the biggest reasons bourbon balls taste so incredible is because alcohol is a solvent. What does this mean and why is it relevant? It’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!

Kitchen Chemistry

Alcohol is a highly effective solvent for water-soluble compounds, meaning it can extract a wide range of flavors that might otherwise remain muted. When we mix bourbon into the dough, it slowly dissolves and releases aromatic compounds from the cocoa powder, cookies, and nuts, bringing their flavors to the forefront.

Furthermore, the alcohol in the bourbon also interacts with your sense of smell, one of the key components of taste. As the bourbon balls warm slightly to room temperature, some of the alcohol’s volatile compounds are released, resulting in a rich, fragrant aroma when you take a bite. This aroma enhances the perception of flavor, making each bourbon ball taste even more flavorful.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Bourbon Balls

1. Crush Cookies Finely: Use a food processor to achieve uniform, fine crumbs, or crumble the cookies very finely with a rolling pin. Larger chunks can affect the texture and make it harder for the dough to bind together.
2. Use a Cookie Scoop: A small cookie scoop ensures evenly sized bourbon balls, which not only look more polished but ensure consistent flavor and texture.
3. Adjust Moisture Levels: If the mixture feels too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of bourbon. If it’s too wet, mix in a few more crushed cookies or powdered sugar.
4. Customize the Flavor: Swap bourbon for rum, spiced rum, whiskey, or brandy for a different flavor profile. For a non-alcoholic version, use orange juice, apple cider, or coffee.
5. Enhance with Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the dough to complement the chocolate and bourbon flavors.
6. Make Ahead: Bourbon balls taste better after resting for 24 hours, but they can sit for even longer and are the perfect make-ahead treat.
7. Storage: Keep bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. If freezing, layer the balls with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.

More Easy No Bake Desserts

• Peanut Butter Cup Dip
• Sprinkle Rice Krispie Treats
• No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• Easy Oreo Truffles
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip