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Maple Bourbon Balls for Stephie

Maple Bourbon Balls really pack a punch. They’re fantastic little bites of bliss, great for serving at your next party, shower, or barbecue!

Do you know what I love about being Southern? We can party. It may seem like we’re all proper and mannerly, but when it comes to celebrating, I personally think the South is where it’s at.

Take these Maple Bourbon Balls. Many a Southern woman is a complete teetotaler – never a cocktail to be had (though not this woman).

Cookies with a little extra “oomph”, though? That’ll strike just the right tone for celebrating a new bride, without being too naughty for an afternoon bridal shower.

I told you we know how to party.

My sweet, sweet friend, Stephie, is getting married here shortly, so today a bunch of us are ready to virtually party on her behalf. Any excuse for bourbon balls, I tell ya.

I’ve known Stephie for a couple of years now, as she was one of the first contributors to the other site I run, Food Fanatic. I adored her online, and then last year, we got to hang out at a food conference together.

Not only did she kindly hold my baby whenever I asked, she made me laugh and laugh at every opportunity. Charming, funny, and just as sweet in person as she is online, that’s our Stephie.

I’ve also gotten to know Stephie’s Momma, affectionately known as “Momma Swope” among many food bloggers. She’s incredibly supportive of all our work, and though I’ve never met her in person, I’d just love to give her a hug some day.

I know she’s so super excited for her baby girl getting married, and I’m pretty sure she’s gonna be as excited by this surprise online virtual shower as Stephie.

Stephie, I am so excited for you and Alex. This is the beginning of a great adventure for the two of you. I have two pieces of advice for you, as an old married woman (10 years this year!):

  1. On your wedding day, make sure to pause, take a breath, and take in everything around you. Ten years from now, these are the only moments you’ll remember with any clarity.
  2. Nothing worth having comes easy, and that includes “Happily Ever After”. Choose, each day, to love Alex, and be in love with Alex. It is very much a choice, and choosing that happiness for yourself and him every day is a way to ensure a long, happy marriage.

    Even when the day is hard, finding a way to remind yourself of the happy moments will make for a better relationship.
    It’s hard to be mad at a guy when you’re reminding yourself of that time he made a complete fool of himself just for you, and then you had an epic kiss.. know what I’m sayin’?

So let’s sit back, and nibble on these amazing Maple Bourbon Balls, and talk about all the ways that being married is awesome. Especially when it’s to your best friend.

I made these cookie balls a little differently than most recipes. For one, they’re not chocolate. For two, I skipped the corn syrup and went for maple.

For three, I decided just plain ‘Nilla wafers weren’t good enough to be truly celebratory. But Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux Cookies? Oh man.

If you’ve never tried them, they’re these wafer-thin, caramelized sugar biscuits that are completely irresistible. They add a depth of flavor and additional crunch that I am SO in love with.

Lastly, I used Angel’s Envy as the adult beverage of choice. Have you ever tried it? It’s a bourbon aged in Port wine barrels, and it is incredible.

I’m not big on hard liquor on its own, usually. But Angel’s Envy is incredibly smooth, and just a little bit sweet. You’re going to LOVE these things.

Serve them at your next party or barbecue if you don’t have any bridal showers coming up. Just make sure you label them adults-only, because they can pack a whallop!

Maple Bourbon Balls on BluebonnetBaker.com

Maple Bourbon Balls

Yield: 46 Balls
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Maple Bourbon Balls are a true southern treat. They're no-bake too, making them an awesome quick treat!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla wafers
  • 1 1/2 cups Pepperidge Farms Bordeaux Cookies (about 16 cookies)
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup Angel's Envy Bourbon

Instructions

  1. Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper or parchment paper.
  2. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for rolling into a bowl, and set both aside.
  3. Combine vanilla wafers, Bordeaux cookies, pecans, and powdered sugar together in a food processor and pulse until all cookies are well crushed, and ingredients well mixed.
  4. Combine maple syrup and bourbon together, mixing well. Add to the food processor and pulse again until combined into a moist dough.
  5. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the dough into balls. Roll in your hand to make round, and then roll in powdered sugar.
  6. Place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least an hour. Serve cool or at room temperature.

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Did you make this recipe?

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Dessertfortwo

Tuesday 31st of March 2015

Yeah, we do know how to party!!!!! Nice partyin' with ya today, lady! Now give me all the balls :)

Carolyn

Tuesday 31st of March 2015

Oh these are gorgeous and perfect for a wedding shower!

Stefanie - Sarcastic Cooking

Monday 30th of March 2015

I have never met Mama Swope either but I cannot wait to meet her and I will hug her just the same as you would! It's because of Stephie I started following your blog! She knows good people!!

Julia

Monday 30th of March 2015

These boozy balls are out of this world! Love your post too. :)

Julie

Monday 30th of March 2015

Oh my gosh, you guys are making me cry. That happens to us mommas, am I right? And you are correct...the south knows how to party. I might have been raised in the God-forsaken north (as my grandmother said), but I was raised with a southern momma and grandmother that knew how to put on a party. Better pull out that sterling silver and china while you are at it. And that bottle of Southern Comfort in the cabinet? Uh huh. You know....I love all of you girls. And these Maple Bourbon Balls? Yes, please. A few beforehand will help this momma through the day. ;)

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