First things first, I’m obsessed with this Advent calendar I found at Target. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I keep my Christmas decorations minimal, but when I spotted this tree-shaped calendar with gold numbers and in colors that perfectly coordinate with my decor, I had to get it.
Now, on to the goodies. My friend Kelly and I host a cookie exchange during the holidays that’s a wonderful excuse to get all our girl friends together for wine, cookies, and Christmas cheer. I’m not a baker, so I usually opt for the simplest recipe I can find, and this year it’s Chocolate Bourbon Balls. Bourbon balls are a divisive cookie—my mom says she hates them because she always picks them up thinking they’re some sort of chocolate truffle and then gets a mouthful of bourbon. Since whiskey is my preferred drink, I love them. Add in chocolate and I’m in heaven.
Chocolate Bourbon Balls
2.5 cups vanilla wafer crumbs*
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup finely ground pecans*
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup bourbon
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
Granulated sugar for coating
Mix cookie crumbs, powdered sugar, and pecans in large bowl. Melt chocolate in microwave (the package will likely give you instructions on the best way to melt—mine was about 45 seconds in the microwave on high). Stir chocolate with bourbon and corn syrup. Combine chocolate mixture with dry ingredients and stir well. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Make 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar to coat completely. Place in airtight container with wax paper between layers (it’s even better if you can lay them all out in one flat layer!) Refrigerate overnight before serving so that flavors can meld.
Enjoy!
What are some of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes? Any other easy ones out there? I am going to attempt something more ambitious sometime before Christmas, but only because I bought these cookie cutters a few years back and have yet to use them. Watch out on insta for the pic you know I’ll post of those.
*I used my Nutribullet to ground the pecans and make the vanilla wafer crumbs and both worked beautifully!
