11 Incredible Southern Recipes to Make for the Kentucky Derby

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Kentucky Bourbon Balls

These timeless sweet treats are traditionally enjoyed during the Kentucky Derby festivities, and the boozy, chocolatey bites are the perfect indulgence to have on hand for race day. Striking the balance between sweet and savory these bourbon balls are sure to be a crowd favorite. What’s even better is that bourbon balls keep extraordinarily well in the fridge—if there’s any left!

Ingredients (for 24 balls):

• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (about 40-45 cookies)
• 1 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup Kentucky bourbon

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped pecans, vanilla wafer crumbs, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir until well combined.
2. Add the light corn syrup and Kentucky bourbon to the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture comes together to form a thick, sticky dough.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
4. Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Use a tsp or small cookie scoop to portion out small amounts of dough and roll them into balls between your palms.
5. Roll each bourbon ball in powdered sugar until well coated, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Once all the bourbon balls are coated, return them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 min. before serving. Serve the bourbon balls chilled, and enjoy!

Hungry for more? Check out 45 Comfort Food Classics that Never Get Old.