by The Webmaster
Makes: 24 portions. Preparation time: 30 minutes over 3 days.
- 3 oz. Kentucky Bourbon
- 1 C. Finely Chopped Pecans or Walnuts
- 1 lb. Confectioners' Sugar
- ½ C. Butter (Softened)
- 1 lb. Semisweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 oz. Lemon Juice (Optional)
Place the Chopped Nuts in a large screw-top jar and pour the Bourbon over them. Seal the jar and twist or shake it occasionally to coat all the Nuts. Let sit on the counter over night.
The next day, mix the Sugar and Softened Butter in a medium bowl. Fold in all the Nut Mixture until it's homogeneous. Add Lemon Juice if you want to offset the sweetness of the Sugar. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Form two dozen ¾-inch Balls from the Nut/Sugar Mixture and place them on the lined sheet. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
The next day, melt all the Chocolate Chips in a double boiler until it's a liquid. Scrape down the sides and stir often to avoid scorching the Chocolate. Remove from the heat and separate the double boiler. Let the Chocolate cool so it can be touched with your fingers. Roll each Ball in Melted Chocolate and place them back on the wax paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour minimum to harden the Chocolate shell. Some people like to top off each Bourbon Ball with a piece of Walnut imbedded in the top of the warm Chocolate. (You can store these in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.) Serve two at a time.
”Bourbon” - This is is a barrel-aged American Whiskey, made primarily of Corn (min. 51%), but also Wheat, Rye and/or Barley. The name derives from the French "House of Bourbon". It can be made anywhere in the US but Kentucky is the largest producer. The "Bourbon Trail" near Louisville has a large number of distilleries in the area (68). They are mostly in very rural, back-hills areas, not in cities. The Whiskey is attributed to Elijah Craig, a Baptist Minister, who was the first to age the distilled beverage in charred oak casks. American Bourbon is at least 80 Proof (40% alcohol by volume). Bardstown, KY. calls itself the "Bourbon Capital of the World." The largest producers are Blanton, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Castle & Key, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, Old Crow, Old Grand Dad, Old Taylor, Pappy Van Winkle, Wild Turkey and, of course, Woodford Reserve [major sponsor of the Kentucky Derby]. A 750 ml. bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is now selling for $49,000 !
