Best Bourbon Balls

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• 4 lbs confectioners' sugar (10x)
• 1 cup butter, softened (not margarine)
• 1/2 lb chopped pecans
• bourbon (use your favorite, i've used several different brands)
• 1 (12 ounce) bag milk chocolate chips
• 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 lb paraffin wax, shaved finely (gulf wax)
• 2 tablespoons solid shortening

Recipe

• 1 by hand mix the sugar, butter, pecans and bourbon. start off with a good splash of bourbon then add tiny bits if too dry. i've never once measured the bourbon and i've been making these since i was about 5, helping mom.
• 2 work mixture until smooth. the mixture should be stiff, not soggy, pliable but not crumbly. i hope that makes sense.
• 3 pinch a tiny bit of mix and roll it in the palm of your hand into a ball. the perfect size ball is a two-biter (a little less than an inch.)
• 4 place on cookie sheets and set aside to air dry. you should not freeze these to firm them quickly, just let them air dry a couple of hours.
• 5 melt chocolates, paraffin and shortening in the microwave 30 seconds at a time.
• 6 stir at end of each 30 seconds.
• 7 it will take about 4-5 minutes to melt everything.
• 8 using a salad or cocktail fork place the ball on the end of the fork and dip into chocolate.
• 9 don't prick the end with the fork or a toothpick to dip as some recommend.
• 10 let drain and put back on the cookie sheet.
• 11 you may top with a half or whole pecan at this point. this will make about 120 pieces at this size.
• 12 when chocolate has set, take a knife and slide under the balls. this makes them come out smooth compared to just picking them up.
• 13 place each piece in a foil or paper fluted candy cup and place in an airtight container.
• 14 store in the refrigerator until ready to serve or give as gifts.