Description
Sweet pecan pie balls bring Southern comfort to bite-sized perfection, delivering rich caramel and nutty flavors in one irresistible treat. Guests will savor these easy no-bake delights that blend classic pie ingredients into elegant party-ready morsels.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Sweet Binding Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and lightly golden to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Transfer toasted pecans to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, creating a rich, textured base for the balls.
- Add graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to the processed pecans, blending until the mixture becomes a cohesive, sticky dough.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and shape into uniform balls.
- Remove chilled mixture from refrigerator and roll into small, compact spheres using clean hands, applying gentle pressure to ensure they hold together.
- Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and gently roll each ball to coat completely, creating a delicate, sweet exterior that adds a light, powdery finish.
- Arrange coated pecan balls on a parchment-lined tray and chill for an additional 30 minutes to set their shape and intensify the flavors.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing the flavors to meld and develop a rich, complex taste.
Notes
- Perfectly toast pecans by constantly stirring in a dry skillet to prevent burning and develop a deep, rich nutty aroma without scorching.
- Chill the mixture before shaping helps create firmer, more stable pecan balls that won’t crumble when handled or rolled.
- Customize the sweetness by adjusting honey and maple syrup levels, making the recipe adaptable for those watching sugar intake or preferring less sweet treats.
- Transform into gluten-free version by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for individuals with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-5 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg