• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Seafood
  • Sides
  • Dessert
The Seasoned Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Disclosure
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » What We're Eating » My Grandmother's Bourbon Balls

    My Grandmother's Bourbon Balls

    Published: Nov 30, 2014 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage image of Bourbon Balls

    Add a fun and festive Christmas cookie to your holiday tray! My Grandmother was famous for her no bake Bourbon Balls, which are made with vanilla wafers and just a few other simple ingredients. Every Southern hostess needs this easy recipe!

    Plate of Grandmother's Bourbon Balls no bake and coated with powdered sugar

    I'm so excited to share one of my grandmother's classic Southern recipes -- just in time for the holiday season! Trust me: if you set these Kentucky Bourbon Balls out at a Christmas party, they will be the first treat to disappear!

    How to Make Bourbon Balls with Vanilla Wafers:

    My grandmother wasn't a huge baker, so I can assure you that this particular recipe is incredibly easy! You'll need just 5 ingredients: vanilla wafers, walnuts, sweetened condensed milk, bourbon, and powdered sugar. With a list like that, you can't go wrong!

    And since these are no bake bourbon balls, we're really just combining the ingredients and rolling them into balls! I told you this was simple...

    Overhead image of plate of no bake Kentucky bourbon balls

    Do Bourbon Balls have alcohol?

    Um, yes. And it's not subtle! You definitely want to use a high quality Kentucky bourbon that you would actually sip on, because the taste of the bourbon comes through in these cookies (and yes, even non-bourbon drinkers like me LOVE them)! We typically go with either Woodford Reserve or Makers Mark Bourbon Balls!

    Close up image of bourbon balls made with vanilla wafers on a Christmas plate

    How long can Bourbon Balls be stored?

    Here's the great thing! They last for a LONG time! Unlike other Christmas cookies that get dry, hard, or stale after just a few days on the counter, you can easily prepare a batch of these cookies at least 1-2 weeks in advance and they will stay fresh in the refrigerator.

    They will keep in your freezer for at least 1 month.

    How to store the cookies:

    Make sure that you keep the balls chilled in an airtight container. If you have deep containers, you can store them in layers, separating them with wax paper or parchment.

    They're fine to leave out on a holiday cookie tray for a party, but they tend to get soft if they're left out for too long. I prefer to keep the balls in my refrigerator, only taking them out when I'm ready to serve them.

    To freeze the balls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil.

    I recommend rolling the cookies in another coating of powdered sugar, just before serving. They'll look fresh and new again!

    Fingers holding a makers mark bourbon ball

    You might also like these Christmas cookies:

    • Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
    • 3-Ingredient Scottish Shortbread Cookies
    • Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • No Bake Haystack Cookies
    • Great Grandma's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Print Pin
    5 from 16 votes

    My Grandmother's Bourbon Balls

    Add a fun and festive Christmas cookie to your holiday tray! My Grandmother was famous for her no bake Bourbon Balls, which are made with vanilla wafers and just a few other simple ingredients!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Southern
    Keyword Bourbon Balls, Bourbon Balls with Vanilla Wafers, Kentucky Bourbon Balls
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Chilling Time 1 hour
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 60 1-inch balls
    Calories 61kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers I used an entire 11 ounce box
    • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
    • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
    • ⅓ cup bourbon
    • Powdered sugar, for rolling

    Instructions

    • Combine wafer crumbs and nuts in a large bowl. Add condensed milk and bourbon. Blend well. Chill for about 1 hour.
    • Pour about 1 cup of powdered sugar into a shallow dish.
    • Dip the palms of your hands into the powdered sugar and shape the “dough” by teaspoonfuls into round balls. Roll in powdered sugar.
    • Store bourbon balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Notes

    You definitely want to use a high quality Kentucky bourbon that you would actually sip on, because the taste of the bourbon comes through in these cookies (and yes, even non-bourbon drinkers like me LOVE them)! We typically go with either Woodford Reserve or Makers Mark Bourbon Balls!
    How long can Bourbon Balls be stored?
    Here's the great thing! They last for a LONG time! Unlike other Christmas cookies that get dry, hard, or stale after just a few days on the counter, you can easily prepare a batch of Bourbon Balls at least 1-2 weeks in advance and they will stay fresh in the refrigerator.
    The Bourbon Balls will keep in your freezer for at least 1 month.
    How to store Bourbon Balls:
    Make sure that you keep the bourbon balls chilled in an airtight container. If you have deep containers, you can store the bourbon balls in layers, separating them with wax paper or parchment.
    They're fine to leave out on a holiday cookie tray for a party, but they tend to get soft if they're left out for too long. I prefer to keep the bourbon balls in my refrigerator, only taking them out when I'm ready to serve them.
    To freeze the bourbon balls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil. 
    I recommend rolling the cookies in another coating of powdered sugar, just before serving. They'll look fresh and new again!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bourbon ball | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 37mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    « Peppermint Bark Fudge Chewies
    Christmas Gift Ideas: The Seasoned Mom's Holiday Gift Guide 2014 »

    Follow The Seasoned Mom on Instagram and show us what you're making! Use hashtag #theseasonedmom

    LIKE THIS POST? THEN STICK AROUND!

    GET FREE EMAIL UPDATES WITH EASY, QUICK-PREP RECIPES THAT ELIMINATE MEALTIME STRESS!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    Powered by ConvertKit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. terry setty

      December 27, 2019 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for three holiday parties and they were a hit at all three! Will use this recipe over and over again. Thanks so much! Very easy , my speed, and I used Jim Beam Bourbon...delicious!

      Reply
      • Blair

        December 27, 2019 at 2:40 pm

        Thank you!❤️

        Reply
    2. Bradley Parks

      December 19, 2020 at 10:54 pm

      5 stars
      used to make rum balls for xmas... not anymore...these are the new "go to" balls. bless your heart.

      Reply
      • Blair

        December 20, 2020 at 9:17 am

        That's great, Bradley! I'm so glad that you love them, too!

        Reply
    3. Nina Belcher

      November 19, 2021 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      I lost my grandma's recipe for bourbon balls. She used Jack Daniel's. Loved them! I'll use this recipe, but I'll stick with Jack!!! Happy Holidays Y'all!

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        November 20, 2021 at 5:37 am

        Sounds perfect, Nina. I hope that these treats bring back great memories! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Carol

      December 13, 2021 at 10:25 pm

      Mine turned out very soft, wouldn't keep their shape. I double checked ingredient amounts, all correct according to the recipe, it just didn't work for me.

      Reply
    5. Marlene Ward

      December 15, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      These were fantastic! Better and easier than my husbands bourbon balls. I'll be making these from now on.

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        December 15, 2021 at 1:27 pm

        Thank you, Marlene!

        Reply
    6. Theresa

      December 19, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      Hey Blair I followed this recipe and when I was pouring in the sweetened condensed milk it got so soupy that I stopped and only used 1/2 of the can. Is it supposed to be like that? I put it in the fridge for later?...maybe it'll firm up? Help!

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        December 20, 2021 at 5:25 am

        Hi, Theresa! They're soft before chilling, but the mixture definitely shouldn't be soupy. Did you use an entire 11 ounce box of Nilla wafers crushed into fine crumbs, along with the cup of finely chopped nuts? So long as you used the proper measurements they should come together perfectly once cool. Otherwise, I have no idea what could have gone wrong. Sorry I can't be more helpful...I just haven't had that issue.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Blair!

    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

    Read More

    Want Quick-Prep Recipes?

    Sign up for my exclusive emails and get this free guide!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    No spam guaranteed. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

    © 2017–2022 The Seasoned Mom     About     Privacy