Just in time to spice up your New Year’s party, here’s a low carb version of the ever-popular bourbon (or rum) ball that is easy to make and tastes very good. It uses almond flour and a little coconut flour to create a soft cookie dough to replace the vanilla wafers in the original recipe. Use the microwave for a quick cook that leaves the dough soft and easy to roll. Make them a few days ahead of time so they can really absorb the alochol flavor. I’ve used Sugar-free Mocha Syrup in place of Light Corn Syrup in the recipe, but you can use the corn syrup if you prefer. It is slightly higher in carbs, but it is only 0.8 additional carbs per bourbon ball.

Cranberry Chocolate Bourbon Balls

1/2 cup Almond Flour
1 tablespoon Coconut Flour
1/2 cup chopped Pecans or Walnuts
1/2 cup Confectioners’ Sugar Substitute
2 teaspoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Bourbon
1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar-free Mocha Syrup or Light Corn Syrup
1 teaspoon Butter
1/4 cup chopped Cranberries(optional)

In a medium bowl, mix flours, pecans, confectioners’ sugar substitute and cocoa powder together until well blended. Add butter and 2 tablespoons water and mix together well. Stir in the chopped cranberries. Microwave for 30 seconds on high to slightly cook. Let cool for a few minutes.

In a cup, add bourbon and s-f mocha syrup and add to the flour mixture, mixing in well. Roll into 1″ balls and place on a wax paper or parchment covered pan. The dough will probably be sticky, so wet your hands to keep the dough from sticking to them. If it starts sticking, wash hands again and rewet them.

Makes about 18 balls. Let dry for an hour or so, then roll in confectioners’ sugar substitute or in granulated sugar substitute. Let dry until they are no longer sticky, then put in a covered container and put in the refrigerator.

These are best when allowed several days before eating for the alcohol to really flavor the dough.

Nutrition information per ball with Sugar-Free Mocha Syrup:
Calories: 72.5 Fat:6.3 g Net Carbs:0.8 g Protein: 1.33 g

Nutrition information per ball with Light Corn Syrup:
Calories: 76 Fat:6.3 g Net Carbs:1.6 g Protein: 1.33 g

The original recipe with Vanilla Wafers

Bourbon Balls

1 cup Vanilla Wafer Crumbs
1 cup chopped Pecans
1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
2 teaspoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Bourbon
2 teaspoons Light Corn Syrup
1/3 cup Confectioners’ Sugar or Granulated Sugar to roll the balls in

Crush about 1-1/2 cups of Vanilla Wafers and measure out 1 cup for the recipe. In a medium bowl, mix wafer crumbs, pecans, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder together until well blended.

In a cup, mix bourbon and corn syrup together and add to the flour mixture, mixing in well until it is moist. Roll into 1″ balls and place on a wax paper or parchment covered baking sheet. The dough may be sticky, so wet your hands to keep the dough from sticking to them. If they are too sticky, let dry for about an hour before rolling into the confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar.

Makes about 24 1″ balls.

Nutrition Info per ball:
Calories:80.5 Fat: 4.2g Net Carbs: 8.8 g Protein: 0.6 g