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I come from a long-line of Irish alcoholics. And although I myself hold my liquor like a ten-year-old, I have a special place in my heart for alcohol-flavored sweet things. Indeed, I have had a torrid love affair with the bourbon ball ever since my mom first let me try one during the holidays when I was a kid.See, at my house, bourbon (or rum) balls were holiday fare. But I'm told they're traditional at the Kentucky Derby as well. I've never been to Kentucky, and I know next to nothing about the event, which, I'm told, involves race horses and women in elaborate hats.
But in the spirit of this prestigious event, I offer you my family's decidedly un-traditional recipe for bourbon balls.
One gallon-sized Ziploc bag
One cup chopped nuts
2 cups crushed Vanilla wafers (approx. 4 dozen)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. melted butter
1/2 cup bourbon (or rum if preferred)
2 tblsp. corn syrup (lite Karo)
2 tsp cocoa
Put all the 'Nilla wafers into a gallon Ziploc bag and seal it well. Smash them to a fine crumble with a hammer and great satisfaction. Mix ingredients together and roll into little balls. Roll these through a dish of powdered sugar. Refrigerate for one hour or longer.
I suppose you could grind the Vanilla wafers in a food processor, but really, a hammer is more fun, especially if you're nipping the bourbon as you go.
Too funky for you? You could try this recipe, which includes chocolate, from the Washington Post.
If you can't find your hammer, or you're just feeling a smidge more traditional, try and find some Rebecca Ruth bourbon balls. They're hard to find outside of Kentucky, apparently, but in this age of the internets, you might have some luck.
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5-03-2008 @10:32PM Trisha Smith said... Julie, please don't take offense, but that is NOT a real bourbon ball recipe. The real recipe does not use vanilla wafers, corn syrup or cocoa; and definitely not chopped nuts. You MUST use pecans, only. I am a true blue Kentuckian. I was born, raised, grew up and got married and had my kids in the beautiful Bluegrass state in the city of Lexington. I have since been transplanted in Texas but I still cling to my Kentucky roots. My grandfather was a professional baker for the old Phoenix Hotel(which is now long gone) and I have many of his old recipes, including bourbon balls and all the Derby favorites, including Derby pie. Anyway, nice try on the bourbon balls. I won't post the REAL recipe, because I don't want to steal your thunder, but feel free to email me for the recipe if interested. Oh, and by the way, Rebecca Ruth candies are good, but Ruth Hunt is the official chocolate candy of the Kentucky Derby, and their bourbon balls are the best! Ruth Hunt candy makers are known for the famous Blue Monday candy bar, my favorite! And I always buy a big box of them when I go home for a visit. Hope your horse won today!
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5-05-2008 @11:37AM sarah said... wait, the kentucky derby is horse racing?!?! i thought it was just a big, fancy party with mint juleps and lots o' bourbon ;)
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6-27-2008 @11:24AM Heather Mathes said... Trisha!
Wonderful! A fellow Kentuckian! Right on the money with the "no Karo nor vanilla wafers..." Thought maybe I could get a recipe from you if you had one for cream candy and the original Derby Pie? Thank you! (yes, my horse won this Derby, and we even bet 8 Belles for second. Tragic end, but a great horse...) Heather Mathes, Paris, KY
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6-27-2008 @11:23AM Heather Mathes said... Sarah,
A touch caddy for comments on food yes? Perhaps you are not hip to American Tradition? - Thoroughbred Horse Racing is a billion dollar industry, not simply for Kentucky but for SEVERAL other states as well (NY, TX, MD, FLA... to name a few) perhaps you need to keep up.
Heather
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