Pecan Pie Balls

Pecan Pie Balls are the best easy no-bake snack that tastes just like pecan pie. These bite-sized treats are rich and sweet with a nutty crunch.

Serve up this sweet treat this holiday season! Pecan Pie Bites are always a huge hit and the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table. People go nuts over this delicious dessert. I can’t say I blame them. They are pretty darn good!

I can never have only one of these little bites. If I could, I’d want to eat them all! I have to stop myself sometimes and remember that they are there to share and not just for me! All pecan pie lovers need to make a batch.

These festive truffles take almost no time to prepare. The longest (and hardest) part is waiting for them to set. You can bet pecan pie balls will be on the menu at all my holiday parties. They are the perfect dessert for baking exchanges, too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes like you are biting into a piece of classic pecan pie
• Easy no-bake treats that can be prepared in minutes
• Festive treat to serve this Christmas
• The perfect amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth
• Makes a lovely edible holiday gift
• Can be easily doubled or tripled
• They freeze well and can be made ahead of time

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Light brown sugar
• Graham cracker crumbs – If you don’t have crumbs, you can use a food processor to finely chop graham crackers. I like using Honey Graham Crackers.
• Finely chopped pecans – Use a food processor to blend the pecans until they are finely chopped. Pecans can be purchased at the grocery store, in a bulk food store like Bulk Barn, or the bulk department at Sprouts.
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Maple syrup – I like real maple syrup.
• Rum extract – This is quite strong, and a little goes a long way.
• Light corn syrup
• Semi-sweet chocolate baking bars

How to Make Pecan Pie Balls

• Step One: In a large bowl, combine the pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, salt, butter, maple syrup, rum extract, and corn syrup until well mixed and slightly crumbly. Use your clean hands to make sure it’s well combined.

• Step Two: Use a cookie scoop to scoop out balls of the pecan mixture. Gently roll the balls until they are smooth. Be careful not to squeeze them too hard or they may fall apart.
• Step Three: Place balls on a cutting board or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the balls in the freezer for 1 hour.

• Step Four: Melt the chopped chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl at 30-second intervals until smooth.
• Step Five: Drop the pecan balls, one at a time, into the melted chocolate and then roll them around until they are evenly coated. Set the balls back on the parchment paper and top with a few pecan pieces before the chocolate sets.

• Step Six: Let the pecan balls sit until the chocolate coating fully sets. You can put them in the freezer for a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes should do the trick) to help them set faster. Serve at room temperature.

What to Serve with Them

• Peppermint Crockpot Candy
• Caramel Nut Brittle
• Reindeer Chow
• Homemade Eggnog

What is the Best Serving Temperature?

I prefer to serve them chilled, but you can also enjoy them at room temperature. Just make sure they don’t get too warm, or you’ll end up with messy chocolate fingers. Not that it’s a bad thing!

Variations and Substitutions

• Use molasses (not blackstrap molasses!) instead of light corn syrup for a richer flavor.
• Use salted butter instead of unsalted butter. However, you should omit the salt if you use salted butter.
• Use vanilla extract, maple extract, or almond extract instead of rum extract. 
• Try dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
• Use chocolate chips or chocolate almond bark instead of the chocolate baking bar. 
• Add a splash of bourbon to the mixture for a boozy treat.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Be careful when melting the chocolate to avoid overcooking it and causing it to seize. You can melt the chocolate in a small glass (or heat-proof) bowl in the microwave at 30-second increments. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler on the stovetop to melt it.
• Chop the pecans, graham crackers, and brown sugar together in the food processor to save time mixing.
• Use mini-muffin liners to serve the pecan balls so the chocolate doesn’t get too messy.
• Use a medium cookie scoop (1 ½ tablespoons). You can use a smaller or larger cookie scoop, but it will result in a different number of pecan pie balls.
• Use two forks or tongs to roll the pecan balls and remove them from the chocolate mixture.
• Don’t leave the pecan pie balls in a warm spot too long. The chocolate will become soft and melty. It’s best to store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Storage Instructions

Store the pecan pie truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

You can also freeze this treat! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Can I Use White Chocolate?

Yes, you sure can! Use a white chocolate baking bar or white chocolate almond bark in place of the semi-sweet chocolate baking bars. Why not make a batch of both varieties?

Why Is My Pecan Mixture Crumbly?

If the pecan mixture is too crumbly and not holding together well, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water until it becomes easier to form into balls.

More Pecan Desserts

• Air Fryer Candied Pecans
• Chocolate Pecan Pie
• Pecan Pie Cheesecake
• Pecan Butter Tarts
• Maple Pecan Squares

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