Whiskey Balls (No-Bake)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My celebratory Whiskey Balls (No Bake) add a delicious touch of Irish cheer to your holiday celebrations! This simple, fast recipe gives you an extra-special confection that’s chocoately, boozy, and just sweet enough! These elevated grown-up treats are special enough to give as gifts, but easy enough to put together at the last minute to enjoy with friends or bring to a party.

Around the holidays, I love to have truffles and candies available because after a big holiday meal, some people just like a little bite of something sweet. Irish whiskey adds instant festive vibes, and I’m proud to recommend O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey for this recipe. I’ve talked about my family connection to this respected Irish whiskey brand—it’s made by Stafford Bonded, located in my hometown of Wexford, and my cousin, Michael J. Stafford, is the managing director. O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey is a blend of golden grain and malted barley, and it’s aged in bourbon casks for a minimum of three years, which gives it superior smoothness. I wanted to develop a cookie ball recipe similar to Rum Balls, Kentucky bourbon balls,  or Scotch balls, but with the unmatched flavor of Irish whiskey. I adore how these came out, and I know you’ll love them too!  

• Super-simple with just six ingredients: Mix everything up, make into balls, and roll in powdered sugar. That’s it!
• Make ahead: My no-bake whiskey balls can be stored at room temperature for three days, or in the fridge for up to ten days!
• Fudgy and flavorful: You’ll adore the decadent texture and the luscious blend of chocolate, comforting vanilla wafers, and warming whiskey.
• No special equipment needed: No need for a food processor or mixer here.
• Make them your way! These boozy balls are easy to customize.

Table of Contents

• What are Whiskey Balls?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make Whiskey Balls (No Bake)
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Variations and Mix-Ins
• FAQs
• More Boozy Dessert Recipes

What are Whiskey Balls?

Whiskey Balls (No Bake) are boozy, truffle-like treats. They have a rich, fudgy, slightly crunchy texture, a nutty chocolate flavor accented by a kick of Irish whiskey, and a snowy powdered sugar coating. These boozy treats are a variation of rum balls, which originated in Austria and Germany and were made with leftover cake and alcohol. The vanilla wafer version became popular in the U.S. in the mid-century, and this easy twist made the no-bake adult dessert a favorite. These are great for Christmas gifts, holiday gatherings, and New Year’s get-togethers.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring jug
• Wooden spoon
• Kitchen scale (optional)

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

Ground vanilla wafers

• Ground vanilla wafer cookie crumbs create the structure for these dessert balls.
• The wafers give the whiskey balls a mellow, sweet vanilla flavor.
• The cookies must be ground into fine crumbs so that the ingredients meld together easily and create the proper smooth texture.
• You can either pulse the vanilla wafers in a food processor or blender until you have small crumbs, or put the cookies in a heavy-duty zip-top freezer bag and use a rolling pin or a mallet to break them up.
• Use store-bought or make your own Vanilla Wafers with my recipe.
• Substitutes: You can use an equal amount of ground Graham crackers, chocolate Graham crackers, ground Biscoff cookies, shortbread cookies, or gingersnaps.

Walnuts

• Walnuts give the cookies a rich, nutty flavor and a bit of crunch.
• Additionally, the nuts enhance the texture whiskey balls.
• Toasting the nuts first is important for the best flavor.
• Chop the nuts on a cutting board with a knife, or put the nuts in a zip-top freezer bag and break them up with a rolling pin or a mallet.
• Substitutes: Use the same amount of toasty, finely chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds.

Powdered sugar

• Powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar) sweetens the cookie balls and balances the whiskey.
• The powdered sugar is mixed into the balls and also used as a coating.
  • In the cookie ball mixture, powdered sugar helps bind the ingredients together, and the cornstarch in the powdered sugar keeps the texture soft.
  • On the outside, powdered sugar creates an attractive coating.
• Substitutes: It’s best to use the powdered sugar when you’re making the balls, but you can use cocoa powder for the coating instead. Note that your Whiskey Balls won’t be as sweet.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

• Unsweetened cocoa powder adds a wonderfully deep chocolate flavor.
• Additionally, the unsweetened cocoa powder adds thickness and fudginess.
• Substitute: You can use an equal amount of Dutch-process cocoa.

O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey

• O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey contributes a warm, smooth, delightfully boozy flavor.
• Importantly, the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey adds moisture, making the mixture rich and truffle-like.
• Substitutes: You can use an equal amount of rum, bourbon, or scotch.
  • For an alcohol-free alternative, use an equal amount of orange juice,

Salt

• Salt is crucial for enhancing all of the flavors in the Whiskey Balls. Without salt, the mixture will taste bland.
• Additionally, salt balances the sweetness in the Whiskey Balls.

How to Make Whiskey Balls (No Bake)

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the ground vanilla wafers, walnuts, 1 cup (4 oz/115 g) powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.

2. Mix in the whiskey: Add in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey to the dry ingredients and combine to make a dough.

3. Form into balls and coat: Roll 1 tablespoon-sized scoops between your palms, then roll in the remaining ½ cup (2 oz/57 g) powdered sugar to coat.

4. Finish the whiskey balls: Set aside as you repeat with the remaining mixture.

5. Enjoy right away or store for later: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for three days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW!

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• Save these treats for the grown-ups: Because they’re no-bake, the alcohol doesn’t cook off.
• Best after 24 hours: You can enjoy the Whiskey Balls right away, but the flavor and texture are even better after sitting for a day.
• Toast nuts first for optimum flavor in this boozy treat. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
• Add more moisture if the mixture seems a little dry and doesn’t hold together. Use a tablespoon more of whiskey or maple syrup to help bind the mixture.
• Another option: Be sure to also try my recipe for Easy Holiday Rum Balls!
• Use only 1 tablespoon of whiskey if you prefer a less-boozy flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-ahead tips

• You can make Irish Whiskey Balls and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Separate layers with parchment paper.
  • For longer storage, place them in an airtight container and store for up to ten days before serving.
  • For more extended storage, first flash-freeze the balls in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer into a zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to one month.
    • Before serving, let the Whiskey Balls sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

How to store leftovers 

• Store leftover Whiskey Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
• You can store them in the refrigerator for up to ten days.
• You can also place them in a freezer-safe container and free for up to one month.

Variations and Mix-Ins

• Use another cookie to get the flavor you want: Biscoff cookies, Graham crackers, or gingersnaps will add a layer of spice;  shortbread will give a richer, more buttery flavor, and chocolate Graham crackers will deepen the flavor.
• If you’d like a richer version, mix in 1/4 cup of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate or milk chocolate, or use mini chocolate chips.
• Intensify the flavor by adding 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the mixture.
• Instead of walnuts, use toasted pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds.
  • For a nut-free option, use an equal amount of crushed pretzels instead.
• Add a citrus note by mixing in 1 teaspoon of finely chopped orange zest,
• Intensify the chocolate experience by rolling the balls in melted chocolate instead of powdered sugar.
• Add a festive touch by coating the Whiskey Balls in sparkling sugar.

FAQs

What do I do if my mixture is too dry and crumbly?

• Note that the mixture can hydrate after sitting, so rest it for 10 minutes before adding additional liquid.
• If your mixture isn’t holding together, mix in a teaspoon or two of additional whiskey or water.

Can I make this treat gluten-free?

• Yes, you can easily make this treat gluten-free.
• Simply use gluten-free vanilla wafers, shortbread, or Graham crackers in the recipe.
  • Additionally, make sure that your other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

How do I make cookie balls alcohol-free?

• You can easily make these cookie balls alcohol-free by using an equal amount of orange juice in place of the Irish whiskey.
• You can also use an equal amount of heavy cream in place of the whiskey. If you do use the cream, be sure to store the cookie balls in the refrigerator.

More Boozy Dessert Recipes

• Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Caramel
• Irish Whiskey Fudge
• Whiskey Crème Brûlee
• Whiskey Chocolate Meringue Tart
• Whiskey Butterscotch Pie

Try These Recipes!

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Eggnog Truffles

Marshmallow Fluff Fudge

Peanut Butter Chews