Description
Delightful christmas chocolate pecan pie balls blend sweet Southern charm with festive holiday spirit. Small spheres of nutty, chocolatey goodness melt in your mouth, inviting pure indulgence and seasonal celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Filling Ingredients:
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Binding Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark chocolate, melted
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup crushed pecans (for rolling)
Instructions
- Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely ground, creating a uniform texture for a smooth base mixture.
- Combine ground pecans, chocolate chips, and graham cracker crumbs in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until thoroughly blended.
- Pour the warm liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously until a cohesive, moldable consistency forms.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape into compact balls.
- Roll the chilled mixture into small, uniform spheres using clean hands, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Gently melt dark chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring occasionally to achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
- Carefully dip each ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring complete coverage, and allow excess chocolate to drip off.
- Immediately sprinkle crushed pecans over the chocolate-coated balls before the coating sets.
- Dust the completed balls with powdered sugar for a festive, elegant finish.
- Chill the chocolate pecan pie balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to solidify the coating and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Finely grinding pecans ensures a smooth, consistent texture that helps bind the ingredients together perfectly.
- Using room temperature butter allows for easier mixing and creates a more uniform base mixture.
- Chilling the mixture before shaping helps prevent sticky hands and makes rolling balls much easier and more precise.
- Opt for high-quality dark chocolate for a richer, more decadent coating that elevates the entire dessert experience.
- For gluten-free version, replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, making them ideal for holiday preparation.
- Experiment with different chocolate coatings like milk or white chocolate for variety and personal preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg