Indulge in the irresistible goodness of pecan balls, a delightful confection that combines the irresistible crunch of pecans with the sweet, buttery richness of a cookie-like crust. These bite-sized treats are a beloved classic, enjoyed for generations as a festive holiday staple or as a sweet treat anytime. With their irresistible aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture, pecan balls are sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.
This article presents a collection of carefully curated pecan ball recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless dessert. Whether you prefer a traditional Southern recipe, a gluten-free option, or a no-bake variation, you'll find the perfect recipe to satisfy your cravings.
1. **Classic Southern Pecan Balls:** This recipe embodies the traditional Southern pecan ball, featuring a buttery shortbread crust filled with a generous amount of chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla. Rolled in powdered sugar for a finishing touch, these classic pecan balls are sure to evoke nostalgic memories and delight taste buds.
2. **Gluten-Free Pecan Balls:** For those with gluten sensitivities or preferences, this recipe offers a delightful alternative without compromising on flavor. Using a combination of almond flour and tapioca flour, this gluten-free pecan ball recipe creates a crispy crust that perfectly complements the pecan filling. Enjoy the same irresistible taste and texture without any gluten.
3. **No-Bake Pecan Balls:** If you're craving pecan balls but short on time or energy, this no-bake recipe is your perfect choice. Simply combine melted chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and oats in a bowl, roll into balls, and chill. These no-bake pecan balls are a quick and easy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without the hassle of baking.
4. **Mini Pecan Balls:** For those who love bite-sized treats or prefer a smaller portion, this recipe creates mini pecan balls that are perfect for parties or gatherings. Using a mini muffin tin, you can easily make these adorable mini pecan balls that are just as delicious as their larger counterparts.
5. **Chocolate Pecan Balls:** Chocolate lovers, rejoice! This recipe combines the classic pecan ball with the richness of chocolate. By adding melted chocolate to the filling, you'll create a decadent treat that's sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Dip them in more chocolate for an extra indulgent experience.
6. **Caramel Pecan Balls:** Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and salty with these caramel pecan balls. Featuring a gooey caramel center encased in a pecan-studded crust, these treats are a delightful twist on the traditional pecan ball. Drizzle them with more caramel for an irresistible finish.
7. **Spiced Pecan Balls:** Add a touch of warmth and intrigue to your pecan balls with this spiced variation. Using a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, these spiced pecan balls offer a unique flavor profile that's perfect for the holiday season or as a cozy treat on a chilly day.
No matter which recipe you choose, one thing is for sure: these pecan balls are sure to bring joy and satisfaction to your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delightful baking journey with these irresistible pecan ball recipes.
PECAN BALLS (CHRISTMAS COOKIES)
Make and share this Pecan Balls (Christmas Cookies) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by LiisaN
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 36-42 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix ingredients together until well blended.
- Hand form into small balls.
- Bake at 300° up to 15 minutes. (These will not brown).
- While balls are still warm, roll into powdered sugar.
PECAN BUTTER BALLS
These are melt in your mouth goodies.
Provided by Kathy Farmer
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Pecan Dessert Recipes
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Sift together into a medium sized bowl the flour, sugar and vanilla. Work in the margarine with a spoon or hands until well blended. Add chopped pecans and mix well.
- Shape dough into 1 inch balls and put on ungreased pans. Bake in a preheated 325 degree F (165 degrees C) oven for about 25 minutes or until pale brown. When slightly cool roll or shake in confectioners' sugar. Store in an air tight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 182.3 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 87.8 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
MOCHA PECAN BALLS
Dusted in either confectioners' sugar or cocoa, this six-ingredient dough rolls up into truffle-like treats-no baking required. -Lorraine Darocha, Mountain City, Tennessee
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 25m
Yield 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, 2 cups confectioners' sugar, pecans and cocoa. Stir in milk and coffee (mixture will be sticky)., With hands dusted in confectioners' sugar, shape dough into 3/4-in. balls; roll in remaining confectioners' sugar or additional baking cocoa if desired. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 61 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 20mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges
PECAN PIE BALLS
Oh these were a hit in the Test Kitchen! These are just like bite-sized pecan pies. Since they are small, you won't feel guilty when you take two or three. If you can stop there...
Provided by Camille McClendon
Categories Candies
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Combine first four ingredients in large bowl.
- 2. Add maple syrup, bourbon, and vanilla.
- 3. Use your hands to make sure all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Almond extract can be subbed for non-alcohol version... add water to equal liquid amount. You can also try non-alcohol rum flavoring.
- 4. Form balls by scooping a tablespoon size amount of mixture.
- 5. Roll in hands to form balls.
- 6. Place balls on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place cookie sheet in the freezer for 2 hrs. Tip: After all balls are made, roll balls again with slightly water damped hands. This will make balls smooth before dipping in chocolate.
- 7. Melt chocolate bark in a double boiler or microwave per directions on package.
- 8. Dip frozen balls into chocolate.
- 9. Then place on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- 10. Optional: Sprinkle a few grains of coarse sea salt on balls before the chocolate sets.
- 11. These freeze well. Take out of the freezer and let sit for 15 minutes. They are also good frozen!
MOCHA PECAN BALLS
Steps:
- In a bowl with an electric mixer cream the butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, add the vanilla, the espresso powder, the cocoa powder, and the salt, and beat the mixture until it is combined well. Add the flour, beat the dough until it is just combined, and beat in the pecans. Chill the dough, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange the balls about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake the cookies in batches in the middle of the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are just firm, and let them cool for 5 minutes on the sheets. Toss the warm cookies in batches in a bowl of the confectioners' sugar to coat them well. The cookies maybe made 2 months in advance and kept frozen in airtight containers.
MAPLE-PECAN BOURBON BALLS
The bourbon ball was created in 1938 by Ruth Hanly Booe, a former Kentucky school teacher turned candy maker. The creamy original was whisky-spiked, covered with chocolate and topped with a pecan. Modern-day versions, like this one, are simpler to put together: Vanilla wafers, toasted pecans, cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar and bourbon are combined in a food processor, rolled into balls and dunked in melted chocolate or rolled in confectioners' sugar. Ours also includes a bit of maple syrup for added depth. Bar chocolate, as opposed to chocolate chips, works much better for enrobing candies because chocolate chips have less cocoa butter and become too thick to coat evenly when melted.
Provided by Samantha Seneviratne
Categories candies, dessert
Time 45m
Yield About 2 1/2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the vanilla wafers and pecans and process until fine crumbs form. Add the maple syrup, cocoa, bourbon, vanilla, salt and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar and process until completely combined and the mixture holds together when shaped into a ball.
- Portion the dough into 1 tablespoon scoops and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once all the dough is portioned, roll the scoops into neat balls.
- Melt the chocolate over a double boiler on the stove or in short bursts in the microwave. Using two forks, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, and rotate to cover completely in chocolate coating. Tap each of the covered balls over the edge of the bowl to release excess chocolate and transfer to the prepared sheet. Alternatively, roll the uncoated balls in the 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar until coated.
- Transfer the sheet to the fridge to set for at least 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 123, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 56 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
MOCHA PECAN BALLS
Another one of my resident's family's recipes. Really easy and delicious. Will be a permanent part of my holiday cookie tray.
Provided by mandabears
Categories Dessert
Time 15m
Yield 48 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl crumble cookie dough.
- Stir in cocoa, espresso powder and pecans.
- Shape dough into 48 pieces.
- Wrap each piece around a Hershey Kiss.
- Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set.
- Transfer to wire rack.
- Cool for 5 minutes.
- Roll in confectioners sugar.
- Store in covered container.
PECAN BALLS
Chewy pecan cookies--a holiday favorite in our house.
Provided by A E
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Pecan Dessert Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cream butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 4 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Mix in cake flour, pecans, water, and vanilla extract.
- Roll dough into balls and place on an ungreased baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until pecan balls are lightly brown on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar while still warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 calories, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 5.1 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 27.4 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
MOCHA-PECAN BUTTER BALLS
When I was a little girl, one of my mother's co-workers would bring tins of assorted Christmas cookies for my sister and me. These were the ones I reached for first.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 30m
Yield 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Combine the flour, drink mix, coffee granules and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. , Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until firm. Cool on pan for 1-2 minutes. Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar; cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 111mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
GRANDMA'S PECAN COOKIE BALLS
Powdered sugar-covered pecan cookie balls. My favorite cookies that my Grandmother would make every holiday.
Provided by gklein
Categories Desserts Nut Dessert Recipes Pecan Dessert Recipes
Time 40m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Cream shortening in a bowl with an electric mixer. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar gradually; cream thoroughly. Add flour, pecans, and vanilla extract and blend.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, baking in batches if needed.
- Bake in the preheated oven on one of the top racks until lightly golden, about 15 minutes, watching to be sure the bottoms do not burn.
- Remove from the oven and roll in some of the remaining powdered sugar while still hot. Let cool, 10 to 20 minutes. Roll again in powdered sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 65 calories, Carbohydrate 5.9 g, Fat 4.4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 0.1 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
PECAN BALLS
Make and share this Pecan Balls recipe from Food.com.
Provided by djmastermum
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 27m
Yield 30 balls
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Beat butter, sugar, vanilla together until light and fluffy.
- Add flour, mix to a stiff paste.
- Add processed pecans.
- Roll into 30 small balls.
- bake at 180 degrees C (350 F) for 10 minutes.
- Dust cooled balls with icing sugar.
SUGAR'S BROWNED-BUTTER PECAN BALLS
Browning butter with chopped pecans gives these tasty cookies an even deeper and nuttier flavor.
Provided by Arlene Cummings
Categories Dessert
Time 1h45m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add pecans; cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until butter begins to turn brown. (Butter will get foamy as it cooks so gently stir to prevent nuts from burning.) Remove from heat; pour into bowl. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture is cooled.
- Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat cooled butter-pecan mixture and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Add cinnamon and vanilla; beat well. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour until dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch size balls; place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake about 12 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown (do not overbake). Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool 1 to 2 minutes.
- Place powdered sugar in medium bowl. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar to coat; return to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Reroll cookies in powdered sugar.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving
DATE-PECAN BALLS
Make and share this Date-Pecan Balls recipe from Food.com.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories Dessert
Time 50m
Yield 55 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cream butter with sugar in large bowl.
- Mix in vanilla.
- Stir in flour and spices.
- Add pecans and dates and mix thoroughly.
- Shape into walnut-size balls.
- Transfer to wax paper lined tray.
- Freeze 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease baking sheets.
- Arrange cookies, spacing 1 inch apart.
- Bake until golden, 15-20 minutes.
- Roll in icing sugar.
- Let cool slightly.
- Roll in icing sugar again.
- Store in airtight container.
GRANDMA'S PECAN BALLS (FROM AUNT KATIE)
I always thought the origin of these cookies was Germany, and my paternal Grandmother set me straight when I asked for the recipe today - it came from Aunt Katie (who isn't really my Aunt, she's my godmother). In any case, here are my most favourite cookies that Grandma makes - I'll have to post the rest of the authentic German recipes she gave me years ago as well... she's been making these since I was kneehigh to a grasshopper!
Provided by Katzen
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 30 Cookies, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cream butter with sugar.
- Add flour and pecans, mix well.
- Roll into balls, about the size of a large gumball, and place on a cookie sheet (I prefer to line mine with parchment, but I'm sure cooking spray would do.).
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until very lightly browned.
- While still warm, roll in superfine sugar - this is important because the dough does not have much sugar.
CHRISTMAS PECAN BALLS RECIPE - (4.6/5)
Provided by Grammie926
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cream sugar and butter, then add other ingredients. Make into small balls and bake at 375°F 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Shake in powdered sugar just before serving. Enjoy!
COCONUT PECAN BALLS
I got this recipe from my daughter-in-law, who makes lots of goodies. Everyone who has ever tried them has liked them very much.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 30m
Yield 5-6 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place crumbs, coconut and pecans in a large bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter; add to bowl and mix well. Roll into 1/2-in. balls. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a heavy saucepan. Dip balls in melted chocolate and place on waxed paper to cool.
Nutrition Facts :
GOLD-DUSTED BOURBON PECAN BALLS
Categories Bourbon Chocolate Nut Dessert Christmas Pecan Winter Gourmet Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes about 4 1/2 dozen bourbon balls
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl sift together cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar and whisk in gold powder until combined well.
- In a bowl stir together wafer crumbs and pecans. In a small bowl whisk together bourbon, remaining 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, and honey and pour into crumb mixture, stirring with a fork until combined well. Form teaspoons of mixture into balls and roll, 4 at a time, in cocoa mixture. Bourbon balls may be kept, in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container lined with wax paper, in a cool dry place 1 week.
PECAN BUTTER BALLS
This is my Tanté Enna's recipe. She made them every year when we would visit. So worth the trip. I was glad to be able to get this recipe and a couple others that I had enjoyed so much as a child.
Provided by CabinKat
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 4 Dozen, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- If you prefer, you can substitute the pecans with walnuts, almonds, or filberts. I prefer the pecans to give this cookie a bit of sweetness.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit; high elevation use convection if you can; or bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sift flour (very important to do this for lighter cookies), sugar, and salt in medium to large bowl.
- Cut up butter into workable pieces, add to flour, and add vanilla.
- Mix as if you were making a pie crust; should look like beads or pea size. Use hand or sturdy spoon to mix well enough to form dough ball.
- Add and work in 2 cups of the nuts.
- Shape into 1-inch balls. You can refrigerate dough for about an hour if you think it will be easier to work with; I have not needed to.
- Roll balls in the remaining 1 cup nuts.
- Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for about 25 minutes; may take 5 extra minutes, depending on the elevation.
- You can remove them right away to a wire rack to cool.
- You can use this same recipe for Wedding Cookies, just omit the 1 cup nuts for rolling and roll in powdered sugar instead. Bake the same amount of time.
SHERRY-PECAN BALLS
These have the flavors of orange, pecan and sherry.They come out more like buttons than balls. These won't last in the cookie jar very long! From Cookies at the Academy: California Cooking Academy. Time includes refrigeration.
Provided by cookiedog
Categories Dessert
Time 1h35m
Yield 3 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a bowl stir together flour and 1/2 cup of the pecans to combine thoroughly; set aside. Spread remaining 1 cup pecans in a shallow pan; set aside.
- In mixer bowl combine butter and sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in orange rind and vanilla.
- To butter mixture add flour mixture alternately with sherry, mixing to blend after each addition. Gather dough into a ball and enclose in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until dough is firm enough to shape (about 45 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 350°F Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in pecans to coat evenly. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake until cookies are golden brown and feel firm when touched lightly (15 to 20 minutes). Transfer to wire racks to cool.
HONEY PECAN BALLS
Make and share this Honey Pecan Balls recipe from Food.com.
Provided by JelsMom
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 48 cookies, 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°F
- Mix together all ingredients except powdered sugar & roll into balls.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until brown.
- Roll in powdered sugar; let cool.
- Roll in sugar again & serve.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality pecans. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pecan balls.
- Toast the pecans before using them. This will enhance their flavor and make them more fragrant.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the pecan balls tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. This will help the cookies hold their shape.
- Roll the balls in powdered sugar before serving. This will give them a sweet, festive coating.
Conclusion:
Pecan balls are a delicious and festive holiday treat. They're easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their sweet, nutty flavor and delicate crumb, pecan balls are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.
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