Do Bourbon Balls Need To Be Refrigerated?
Bourbon balls are a great option for a family gathering or neighborhood block party. They’re easy to make and taste amazing! If you’re making large quantities, need to make them a few days in advance, or expect to have leftovers, you might be wondering how to store your dish.
Bourbon balls do not need to be refrigerated, but they should be stored in a cool, dark place. Depending on the recipe you use and the temperature of your house, the refrigerator might be the best place to store your dessert.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner, new recipes can be intimidating. If you’re interested in making your own bourbon balls, read on to learn more about what they are and how to safely store them.
What are Bourbon Balls?
Bourbon balls are an alcoholic candy from the southern United States. These sweets are attributed to Ruth Hanly Booe, cofounder of Rebecca Ruth Candy. They are a simple, bite-sized dessert that incorporates bourbon and chocolate. Bourbon balls are a great no-bake alternative to the typical staples like brownies or cookies.
What ingredients are in Bourbon Balls?
The center of a bourbon ball is a dough made from chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, powdered sugar, cocoa, bourbon, and corn syrup. After those ingredients are mixed into a dough, the dough is rolled into small balls and chilled for thirty minutes to an hour. Once cooled, the bourbon balls are dipped in a dark chocolate coating.
Variations on the Bourbon Ball Recipe
Not all bourbon balls are made the same way. There are several changes you can make to the basic recipe according to your tastes. For example, chopped pecans can be replaced with chopped walnuts. The wafer cookies can be swapped for different types of cookies, like ginger snaps or chocolate wafer cookies. You can also use rum instead of bourbon.
You can also use different ingredients for the outside coating of your bourbon balls. While dark chocolate is traditional, bourbon balls can be milk or semi-sweet chocolate. You can also roll the bourbon balls in powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, crushed pecans, or even chocolate sprinkles!
What is the Best Bourbon to Use for Bourbon Balls?
There is no one “right” kind of bourbon to use when making bourbon balls, but different types of bourbon will give them different flavors. Typically, you want to use a high-quality bourbon with a strong flavor that will cut through the sugar in the candy.
Depending on your needs or the needs of your guests, you can also use gluten-free bourbon, rum, or even non-alcoholic drinks like orange or apple juice.
Can Bourbon Balls Make You Tipsy?
Unlike many other alcohol-infused dishes and desserts, the alcohol in bourbon balls does not get cooked out. That means that this candy is not meant for kids.
As the chef, you can choose a bourbon with higher or lower alcohol content, depending on your preferences, but bourbon typically has a high percentage of alcohol, which means it is possible to get tipsy while eating these candies.
However, you would have to eat over 700 grams of candy to be over the legal blood alcohol limit. Typically, eating that much chocolate or sugar will cause an upset stomach, so most people will stop eating the candy long before they begin to feel a buzz.
That said, consumers need to be aware of the alcohol content in this dessert. If you are serving your creation to guests, be sure to warn them of the alcoholic content. It is best for pregnant or nursing guests and guests under 18 to avoid these candies.
Do Bourbon Balls Need to Be Refrigerated?
Bourbon balls should be stored somewhere cool and dry in an air-tight container. They will keep for around two weeks whether they are kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you live in a warmer climate, storing your bourbon balls in the refrigerator may be the best option. You can also freeze bourbon balls for up to three months.
Unlike many other desserts, they are actually better a day or two after they are made. For best results, make your bourbon candy a day or two before serving it.
Our website also contains several related articles you may find helpful Do Brussels Sprouts Have To Be Refrigerated?, Do Boiled Peanuts Have To Be Refrigerated? and Do Built Bars Need To Be Refrigerated?
Summary
Bourbon balls are an excellent dessert choice for any adult gathering. Whether you choose to store them in your pantry or your refrigerator, they are sure to be a big hit!
