pecan pie balls featured image
It is so quick and easy to make these delicious no-bake Pecan Pie Balls. This recipe transforms the traditional holiday dessert slice into perfectly portioned, bite-sized pieces.
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It is so quick and easy to make these dangerously delicious no-bake Pecan Pie Balls. This recipe is a twist on the traditional holiday dessert and transforms the nutty crunch and rich flavors found in the classic confection into perfectly portioned, bite-sized pieces. The perfect addition to your Christmas Cookie exchange!

pecan pie balls hero image


Perfectly Portioned Pecan Pie Balls

This Pecan Pie Balls recipe is my re-imagined version of Pecan Pie, but served as an individual, grab-and-go, portable sweet treat instead of a slice.

In 5 quick minutes, you can easily form the sticky, crunchy, caramel-like filling that makes this simple dessert so delicious. The truffles are dipped in a chocolate candy coating and gloriously garnished with holiday-colored sprinkles to create a small portioned taste to eat after a filling Thanksgiving or at holiday parties! 

A dessert table can often seem overwhelming when faced with an ample spread that needs sampling, especially when stomach space is limited.

That’s why this pecan pie truffle is the perfect compromise and the best way to eat pecan pie in the form of a ball–each bite has the same sweet and gooey, nutty crunch as the traditional dessert, but it’s mini-sized so you can get a taste in one bite! And if adding a layer of chocolate to pecan pie seems wrong, I don’t ever want to be right!

Why We Love This Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

  • No-bake recipe that is quick and easy to make.
  • Delicious dessert that is has the same sweet and nutty flavors as your favorite slice.
  • It’s the best part of pecan pie rolled into one perfectly portioned, handheld taste.
  • Portable, on-the-go treat.
  • Perfect for parties, tailgating, holiday dessert platters, Christmas parties and homemade edible gifts.
pecan pie balls with red green sprinkles

Ingredients / Shopping List

  • Pecans, fine chopped
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Light karo syrup
  • Salted butter, melted
  • Almond extract
  • Rum extract
  • Chocolate melting discs (I used Ghirardelli brand): You can also use Chocolate Almond Bark.
  • Optional garnish: Holiday themed sprinkles

Substitutions and Additions

  • Karo Syrup: If you do not wish to use karo syrup in your recipe, you can just increase the amount of maple syrup used. I also highly recommend using good quality maple syrup and not pancake syrup. The flavor really shines through with these no-bake treats.
  • Rum Extract: If you do not want to use rum extract then you can use vanilla extract instead. The flavor will still be delicious.
  • Boozy Pie Balls: You can add bourbon, brandy, or spiced rum to the pecan mixture for an adult boozy treat. 
  • Cookie Crumbs: Vanilla wafers or digestive biscuit crumbs can be subbed for graham crackers.
  • Candy Colors: Chocolate melting discs come in different colors so you can get creative and customize your treats. They can be found in vanilla/white chocolate flavor as well.
  • Custom Holiday Colors: Sprinkles come is a variety of shapes and colors. You can easily create your own holiday-themed Pecan Pie Balls and add a festive flair to any dessert platter. Roll your pecan balls in red and pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, orange and brown for Thanksgiving, red and green for Christmas, etc.
bitten pecan pie balls
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring tools
  • Wooden spoon
  • Plastic wrap
  • 2 inch cookie scoop
  • Fork
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheet

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How to Make the Recipe

It is so quick and easy to make these Pecan Pie Balls by simply mixing your ingredients to form a filling, chilling it, and dipping bite-sized balls in chocolate. This no-bake dessert is a delicious way to sample a slice in a handheld, perfect mini portion.

  1. Mix together chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, karo syrup, melted butter, almond and rum extracts until well combined.
    PRO-TIP: You can easily chop your pecans using a food processor
    Mix together chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, karo syrup, melted butter, almond and rum extracts
  2. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours or up to overnight.
    pecan mixture covered with plastic wrap
  3. Use a 2 inch cookie scoop to scoop out the pecan filling.
    scoop pecan mixture using cookie scoop
  4. Form chilled pecan filling into tight balls.
    Pro Tip: I suggest wetting your hands with warm water, place the scooped filling into the palm of your hand and gently squeeze and compact the pecan filling into a tight ball.
    turn pecan mixture into balls
  5. Set the pecan balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Melt the chocolate according to package directions and stir until smooth.
  7. Place one pecan ball into the melted chocolate, roll it around to coat, lift it out, and place it back on baking sheet. Repeat this process until all the pecan pie balls are coated in chocolate.
    Pro Tip: I recommend using a fork to place the pecan ball in the chocolate and lifting it out of the bowl.
    Place one pecan ball into the melted chocolate
  8. Sprinkle holiday themed candy sprinkles onto the tops of each pie ball.
    Sprinkle holiday themed candy sprinkles onto the tops of each pie ball.
  9. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 2 hours, uncovered, to allow the chocolate to firm back up.
    pecan pie balls on a tray
  10. Enjoy!

Tips

  • These pecan pie balls can be served at room temperature once the chocolate coating has hardened. 

Storage Tips

  • To Store: Store any leftovers or pre-made Pecan Pie Balls in an uncovered container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
pecan balls on a tray

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my pecan mixture is crumbly?

If your pecan filling is crumbly, don’t worry! Use your hands to press the mixture together as you’re forming the balls. The syrup gets extra sticky from the warmth of your hands and helps the balls hold together.

Do Pecan Pie Balls need to be kept in the refrigerator?

No, you do not need to refrigerate these treats. While I like truffles cold, you can definitely keep these at room temperature and they’ll be perfect.

What if I cannot find chocolate melting discs?

If you can not find the chocolate melting discs, you can use Chocolate Almond Bark in the exact same way. It is a very popular item used when making chocolate-coated strawberries, pretzels or any other dipped and coated candies. It is very easy to use when following package directions. Different brands may call it melting chocolate blocks. This is very different from baking chocolate squares as this is made to melt smooth then re-harden and stick to whatever it is you are coating/dipping into chocolate. Baking chocolate squares will not do this.

The chocolate melting discs and the almond bark already have added sugar and fats to them therefore making these two options ideal for use in this recipe. They can also be found in vanilla/white chocolate flavors as well.

What if I can find neither chocolate melting discs nor Chocolate Almond Bark?

If you can not find any of these options, you can use a 12-ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed with 2 tablespoons of unflavored Crisco shortening (or coconut oil) melted in a microwave-safe bowl, on medium heat, for 1-2 minutes. You will want to make sure to stir your chocolate at 1 minute then continue to heat in 30-second intervals. Be careful not to overheat your chips because they could seize up and not work for dipping. If your microwave has a melt setting for chocolate I would utilize that.

pecan balls with chocolate sprinkles

Other Easy Pecan Dessert Recipes

4.86 from 28 votes
pecan pie balls featured image

Pecan Pie Balls

Serves — 16
It is so quick and easy to make these delicious no-bake Pecan Pie Balls. This recipe transforms the traditional holiday dessert slice into perfectly portioned, bite-sized pieces.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • cups pecans fine chopped
  • ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp light karo syrup
  • 2 tbsp salted butter melted
  • ¼ tsp almond extract
  • ¾ tsp rum extract
  • 12 ounces chocolate melting discs (I used Ghirardelli brand)
  • Optional garnish-Holiday themed sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, using a wooden spoon, combine the chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, karo syrup, melted butter, almond and rum extracts. Mix until evenly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or up to overnight.
  • Once chilled, using a 2 inch cookie scoop, scoop out the pecan filling and form into tight balls. **I suggest wetting your hands with warm water, place the scooped filling into the palm of your hand and gently squeeze and compact the pecan filling into a tight ball** Set the pecan balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and repeat until all the balls are formed.
  • In a medium size bowl, that is not too deep, melt the chocolate melting discs according to package directions. Stir until smooth.
  • Using a fork gently place one pecan ball at a time into the melted chocolate. Roll it around in the melted chocolate, being very careful not to break apart the pecan ball, and lift out the chocolate coated pecan pie balls with the same fork and place them back onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat this process until all the pecan pie balls are coated in chocolate.
  • At this time you can sprinkle on some holiday themed candy sprinkles if desired onto the tops of each pecan pie ball. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator for 2 hours, uncovered, to allow the chocolate to firm back up.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
Store any leftovers or pre-made Pecan Pie Balls in an uncovered container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips:
  • If you can not find the chocolate melting discs you can use Chocolate Almond Bark in the exact same way.  It is a very popular item used when making chocolate coated strawberries, pretzels or any other dipped and coated candies.  It is very easy to use when following package directions.  Different brands may call it melting chocolate blocks.  This is very different from baking chocolate squares as this is made to melt smooth then re-harden and stick to whatever it is you are coating/dipping into chocolate.  Baking chocolate squares will not do this.
  • The  chocolate melting discs and the almond bark already have added sugar and fats to it therefore making these two options ideal for use in this recipe. They can also be found in vanilla/white chocolate flavor as well.  
  • Chocolate melting discs will also come in different colors so you can get creative and customize your treats.
  • If you can not find any of these options, you can use a 12 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed with 2 tablespoons of unflavored crisco shortening (or coconut oil) melted in a microwave safe bowl, on medium heat, for 1-2 minutes.  You will want to make sure to stir your chocolate at 1 minute then continue to heat in 30 second intervals.  Be careful not to overheat your chips because they could seize up and not work for dipping.  If your microwave has a melt setting for chocolate I would utilize that.
  • If you do not wish to use karo syrup in your recipe, you can just increase the amount of maple syrup used.  I also highly recommend using good quality maple syrup and not pancake syrup.  The flavor really shines through with these no-bake treats.
  • If you do not want to use rum extract then you can use vanilla extract instead.  The flavor will still be delicious.
Recipe Inspired By Plain Chicken

Video

Nutrition Info

Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  1. Made these and they were easy and looked great. But didn’t really get the pecan pie vibe I was hoping for. Tasted like a Kit Kat – just sugary. Not sure if I did something wrong but followed the recipe and used good syrup. Might try reducing the sugar next time.