Dessert for Two

Small batch recipes that serve two people. Desserts for two, dinners for two, and drinks for two.

  Subscribe Here

Pumpkin Bourbon Balls

Pin
Share
Tweet
Email
Yum

If you’ve never had a bourbon ball, it’s safe to say you’ve never spent the holidays in the South.  And for that, I’m sorry.  But but but, I’m here to remedy that.  Bourbon balls are easy to make (no baking required) and are addictively delicious.  They consist of crushed nilla wafers (the greatest store-bought cookie ever, although I do have a recipe here for a homemade vanilla wafer cookie), pecans, spices and bourbon.  You can use whiskey, too.  Maybe you’ve had a rum ball before?  Same principle:  mashed cookies reformed into boozy truffle-like bites.

I should say:  these cookies are for adults.  There is no denying their alcohol content and flavor.  And, the alcohol aroma seems to get stronger as they sit.  I used to have a boss (hi Jim!) who baked cookies for our workplace each December.  He would bring in plates and plates filled with dozens of all types of holiday cookies.  I always went for the rum balls because who can resist a little alcohol in the workplace setting?  Something about a little hint of booze in a strict corporate workplace is my idea of a devious good time.  It’s not enough booze to alter your mood, so it’s a safe indulgence, I promise.

Regular Christmastime bourbon balls contain cocoa powder and corn syrup as the binder.  However, these Thanksgiving pumpkin spice bourbon balls use pumpkin and fall spices to pull it all together.  Once you pop one, you can’t stop!


Yield: 1 small 6" galette

Strawberry Galette

Makes 1 small 6" crostata
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1/2 cup unbleached flour
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoons cold water

For the filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups sliced ripe strawberries
  • 1 teaspoon rose water
  • 2 teaspoons unbleached flour
  • 4 teaspoons sugar, plus extra for topping
  • splash of milk for brushing on the crust

Instructions

  1. First, make the crust: In a medium bowl, stir together lightly the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and blend with a pastry cutter or two knives. Once the butter is smaller than peas, add the vinegar and cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time until a moist dough forms. It should clump together when squeezed in your hand but not be overly wet. Form the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, then wrap in plastic before storing in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, stir the sliced strawberries, rose water, flour and sugar together in a bowl. Let sit while you roll out the dough. Preheat the oven to 375°.
  3. To roll out the dough, place a piece of parchment paper on the counter. Gradually roll out the dough to a 9” circle, taking your time to turn the dough a quarter turn each time after rolling in one direction. Transfer the parchment paper and dough directly onto a baking sheet. Mound the strawberries in the center of the dough, leaving a 2” border. Fold up the edges of the dough onto the strawberries. Make sure you do not have too many areas for the strawberry juices to escape, although some will inevitably. Brush the dough with milk, then sprinkle extra sugar over top. Bake for 40 minutes. I find the crust is the flakiest if it is served at room temperature.
© Christina Lane
Category: Cobbler

 

Pin
Share
Tweet
Email
Yum

Comments

  10. Ahhh, bourbon balls. The holidays truly have arrived! Good thing I busted out the Pandora "Swingin' Christmas" station last night and impulse bought a "Snow Day" scented candle, lol. All I need is one of these amazing-looking treats, and I'm in business!
    Reply

  20. You have some of the most fabulous ideas! I never would have thought to grind up nilla waffers with bourbon, seasoning and pumpkin puree for a fantastic treat! This is a total winner of a dessert and I could make batches and batches of these for holiday goody bags for friends and family!
    Reply

    • Hi Julia: I can't take the credit for this one. Bourbon balls are a long-time tradition in the South. I can take credit for developing a pumpkin version, though! ;)
      Reply

  25. I am going to try this with JD Honey Whiskey! And roll them in ginger snaps instead of Nilla Wafers. This sounds like a perfect way to use up extra pumpkin! Can't wait for Turkey Day!
    Reply

  26. i've never had a bourbon ball, and i've never spent time in the south, for which i am regretful! but i love adult cookies so i hope to try these. :)
    Reply

  31. I am allergic to nuts. Will they hold together w/o them or do I just add more of the waffers? Can't wait to make these!
    Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

As Seen On

bhg      today      QVCbw      people      oprah      marthas
Food52      esquire      cosmo      cookingchannel      BethennyFrankel2      AmericasTestKitchen