Chocolate Bourbon Truffles With Chopped Pecans
Celebrate the day with a special treat, like these rich and creamy chocolate and bourbon truffles!
Chocolate bourbon truffles are a luxurious little treat—smooth, rich, and wonderfully grown-up. The warmth of Kentucky bourbon deepens the chocolate flavor without overpowering it, and the cream creates a silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
These truffles are perfect for gifting, celebrating a holiday, or treating yourself to something decadent. They’re easy to prepare ahead, endlessly customizable with different coatings, and beautiful on a dessert tray or after-dinner plate.
The truffles would be wonderful with chopped pistachios or hazelnuts, too.
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
Deep chocolate flavor. High-quality semisweet chocolate creates a rich, silky truffle.
A hint of bourbon. Adds warmth and complexity without being overpowering.
Make-ahead friendly. The mixture chills for hours and the finished truffles keep well.
Beautiful variety. Roll in cocoa powder, nuts, or sugar for an elegant finish.
Ingredient Notes
- Semisweet chocolate: Use a high-quality bar for the smoothest texture and deepest flavor.
- Heavy cream: Creates the velvety ganache base.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens and balances the sweetness.
- Kentucky bourbon: Adds warmth and a subtle spirited note.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances both chocolate and bourbon.
- Pecans: Finely chopped and mixed in for texture and flavor.
- Coatings: Cocoa powder, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and ground nuts each add their own finish.
Steps to Make Chocolate Bourbon Truffles With Chopped Pecans
- Melt the chocolate with the cream and salt over gentle heat, stirring until smooth.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then stir in the bourbon, vanilla, and chopped pecans.
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture until firm, at least several hours.
- Scoop and quickly roll the chilled mixture into small balls.
- Chill again, then roll the truffles in your choice of coatings.
Pro Tip:
Chill the ganache thoroughly before rolling—overnight is ideal. Very cold ganache makes shaping much easier and helps the truffles hold their form.
Recipe Variations
- Extra bourbon flavor. Add an additional teaspoon of bourbon to intensify the warmth.
- Dark chocolate version. Use bittersweet chocolate for a deeper, less sweet truffle.
- No-nut option. Omit the pecans and roll the truffles in cocoa or powdered sugar.
- Liqueur twist. Replace bourbon with coffee liqueur, orange liqueur, or hazelnut liqueur.
- Coating variety. Roll in crushed cookies, toasted coconut, or sparkly sanding sugar.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve after dinner with coffee or espresso for a luxurious finish.
- Pair with a small glass of bourbon, brandy, or port.
- Add them to holiday dessert trays for a rich chocolate contrast.
- Choose decorative mini paper cups to present them for gifting.
How to Store Chocolate Bourbon Truffles
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Keep chilled until serving.
Freezing: Freeze uncoated truffles for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then roll in your preferred coating.
Serving: For the best texture, let the truffles sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before eating.
Chocolate Bourbon Truffles With Chopped Pecans
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, high quality
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- Pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
- vanilla extract, a few drops
- 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
- Garnishes: cocoa powder, granulated sugar, ground nuts, or powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine chocolate, cream, and salt in the top of a double boiler or heat-proof bowl over simmering water. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth and chocolate is melted.
- Remove the pan or bowl from the outer pan and let the mixture stand until it comes down to room temperature. Add the bourbon, vanilla, and chopped nuts. Gently stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 6 hours. Working quickly, shape small scoops of the chocolate mixture into small balls. Place them on a baking sheet and cover them loosely. Refrigerate the truffles for several hours. Roll in finely chopped pecans, unsweetened cocoa, or granulated sugar.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
