Pecan Pie Balls: No-Bake Sweet Treats for the Holidays Recipe
These Pecan Pie Balls are delicious no-bake treats perfect for the holiday season. Combining a rich, nutty filling with a smooth chocolate coating, these bite-sized delights are easy to make and sure to impress your guests. Made with finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, and a touch of maple syrup, then dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate and garnished with extra pecans, these festive treats require no oven time and are ready to enjoy after some chilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 20-25 pecan pie balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for coating)
- Extra chopped pecans (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparing the Mixture: Gather all your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until evenly combined. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and fold together until thick and slightly sticky. Adjust texture by adding maple syrup if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Rolling the Balls: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Using about a tablespoon of mixture per ball, roll into smooth balls with your hands or a small cookie scoop. Place them spaced out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should get about 20-25 balls. Chill the balls in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to firm up further.
- Coating the Balls: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add a teaspoon of coconut or vegetable oil if the chocolate is too thick. Dip each chilled pecan ball into the chocolate fully coating it, letting excess drip off, then place back on the parchment baking sheet. Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top if desired. Reheat chocolate briefly during dipping if it thickens.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the chocolate-coated pecan balls for about 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely. Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop to keep ball sizes uniform for even chilling and coating.
- If the mixture feels dry, add maple syrup one teaspoon at a time for moisture.
- Be careful not to overheat chocolate to avoid seizing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- These treats are perfect for gifting or holiday parties.
Keywords: pecan pie balls, no-bake desserts, holiday treats, chocolate coated pecan balls, easy holiday desserts
