Description
Sweet Southern charm meets bite-sized bliss in these irresistible pecan pie balls, capturing the essence of classic dessert in a playful new form. Christmas gatherings and holiday parties will never be the same once guests experience these delectable, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups pecans, finely chopped
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup brown sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 15 ounces (425 grams) dark chocolate melting wafers (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Craft a cohesive mixture by thoroughly blending graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pecans, rich brown sugar, aromatic maple syrup, silky melted butter, fragrant vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a spacious mixing bowl until the ingredients meld into a dense, adhesive consistency.
- Gently form uniform spherical shapes approximately one inch in diameter, carefully rolling the mixture between your palms to create smooth, compact orbs.
- Arrange the freshly crafted spheres on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to the freezer for approximately one hour, allowing them to solidify and maintain their structural integrity.
- Prepare the chocolate coating by gradually melting chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe vessel, stirring at consistent intervals to ensure a glossy, smooth texture without scorching.
- Utilize a delicate fork to submerge each chilled pecan sphere into the molten chocolate, ensuring complete coverage while allowing excess chocolate to cascade off, creating an elegant, even coating.
- Return the chocolate-enrobed spheres to the parchment-lined tray, then refrigerate until the chocolate shell hardens completely, transforming them into a decadent, ready-to-serve confection that can be enjoyed chilled or at ambient temperature.
Notes
- Opt for high-quality pecans to enhance the rich, nutty flavor and ensure a premium taste experience.
- Toast pecans briefly before chopping to unlock deeper, more complex nutty notes and add a subtle roasted depth.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for similar texture.
- Experiment with dark, milk, or white chocolate coatings to customize the final taste and visual appeal of these bite-sized treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg