Fireball Whiskey Balls: My Go-To No-Bake Boozy Treat

So, About These Fireball Whiskey Balls…

You know those recipes you stumble on once—usually at a potluck—and suddenly everyone expects you to bring them to every family thing forever? That’s these Fireball Whiskey Balls. Honestly, I only started making them as an excuse to finally use up that bottle of Fireball someone ‘gifted’ me (with a knowing wink). But after I brought a batch to game night and watched Aunt Carol eye her third one suspiciously, they earned a permanent spot in my treat rotation. Actually, the first batch was a bit of a fiasco. But we don’t talk about the great powdered sugar explosion of ’19… much.

Why You Should Probably Make These (Even If Just Once)

I make these when I know I need a fast, no-bake dessert that’ll get people talking. My cousins pretty much beg for them every birthday, and weirdly enough, my old neighbor (you remember Mrs. Larkins with the six cats?) texts for the recipe every holiday, even though she swears she can’t stand cinnamon. The boozy kick is a fun surprise—not super strong, but enough that people raise an eyebrow. One personal note: don’t even think about skipping the chilling step…of course I tried once, because who has patience? Spoiler, I did not get balls—just a sticky mess. Lesson learned.

What You’ll Need (And Some Things You Might Swap In)

• 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer cookies, crushed pretty fine (I cheat and use a food processor—sometimes graham crackers if I’m out of wafers, and it’s honestly still good)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped (or walnuts, if that’s what’s lurking at the back of your cupboard)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (plus a bit more for rolling – or just for covering up a slightly sticky batch, heh)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional, but I like the extra depth)
• 1/2 cup Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (obviously, but regular bourbon works too—don’t tell the Fireball folks I said that)
• 2 tablespoons honey (or agave syrup, especially if you somehow run out of honey mid-recipe, not that I’d know)
• Pinch of salt (because everything sweet needs a pinch)

You can actually toss a handful of mini chocolate chips in if you’re feeling wild—my friend Jeff does that, though his always end up a bit lumpy. Whatever works.

How I’d Tell You to Make Them If We Were in the Kitchen Together

1. Start by crushing the cookies—I use a zip-top bag and a rolling pin when I don’t want to wake everyone up with the food processor.
2. In a big bowl, mix cookie crumbs, chopped pecans, powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt. Use your hands here, honestly—it just feels right.
3. Pour in the Fireball (try not to spill it all over the counter, like someone I know…me). Add the honey and mix until combined. This is where I sneak a little taste—just one, for ‘testing.’
4. If it’s way too sticky, add a sprinkle more cookie crumbs; too dry, a splash more Fireball. It’s all about the feel.
5. Now roll into balls—golf ball sized or smaller. If it sticks to your hands, dust ’em with powdered sugar or just wet your hands a bit.
6. Roll each ball in a little extra powdered sugar, or cocoa if you want a richer thing going.
7. Pop them onto a plate or tray (parchment paper helps, but I sometimes forget and it’s fine). Chill these in the fridge for at least 2 hours—don’t skip this, really, they need it to firm up. Watch them disappear faster than you can say “pass the whiskey.”

Random Notes I’ve Jotted Down Over the Years

• Once I tried using maple syrup instead of honey. It wasn’t…bad, but kinda overpowered everything else. Wouldn’t be my first pick.
• Don’t try to roll these right after mixing—it’s just gonna stick to everything, including your dog if he’s hoping for scraps.
• Actually, I find leaving them overnight (if you can resist) gives a better bite.
• Kids will think these are cookies. Please, for everyone’s sanity (and to avoid awkward party conversations), label them clearly.

If You Wanna Mix It Up (My Attempts, For Better or Worse)

• One time I swapped in Biscoff cookies and white chocolate for a “fancier” version—too sweet for me, but some folks devoured them.
• I’ve added chopped dried cherries; pretty good, especially with the Fireball. Not a fan of coconut flakes, but my sister puts them in anyway. To each their own.
• Don’t try with cheap whiskey—I did, and, well, let’s just say they tasted like regret and missed paychecks.

About the Stuff You’ll Need—Or Not

I usually use my food processor, but bashing cookies in a bag with a rolling pin is kind of therapeutic. If you’re totally stuck with neither, I actually once used a heavy mug and just smashed them on a cutting board (not recommended for glass-top stoves…)

Will These Even Last Long Enough to Store?

Seal in an airtight container and they’ll keep in the fridge 4 or 5 days. Or longer, maybe, who knows? I’ve never had leftovers last more than a day and a half, but in theory they’d last almost a week. Some folks say you can freeze ‘em for a month—just thaw in the fridge overnight. (If you forget, though, they get kind of weirdly chewy…still edible, just different.)

How I Like to Serve Them (And the Family Ritual)

I like piling these up on a big platter for parties, maybe with a little flag that says ‘Adults Only.’ (Aunt Carol tried sneaking one to her neighbor’s kid, but we caught her, phew.) Sometimes, I’ll dust them with cinnamon sugar if I’m feeling fancy. At Christmas, we crack out the mini cupcake liners and turn it into a competition—who can eat the most without reaching for water.

The “Trust Me” Tips I Earned The Hard Way

• I once tried to cut the chilling time in half by popping them in the freezer; don’t do it. They crack and taste weird.
• Don’t add extra whiskey thinking it’ll make them better. It just makes them sticky and hard to roll—basically a mess. Stick to the recipe, or close-ish anyway.
• If the dough looks a little dry, add honey first, not more Fireball. Learned that after too many boozy blobs.

Folks Have Asked… (Real or Imagined FAQs)

• Can I make these ahead of time? Yup! I actually think they taste better the next day, if you can wait. The flavors just, I dunno, settle in.
• How strong is the whiskey flavor? It sneaks up. Not knock-you-over strong, but you’ll know it’s there. You could always cut the Fireball by half and add a splash of orange juice if you want it much milder. (I did that once for an office party—and they still went fast.)
• Do they need to stay cold? They hold up okay at room temp for a few hours, but in the summer, keep ‘em chilled—they get sticky if the AC’s off. It happens, trust me.
• Is there a non-alcoholic version? Hmm, not really, but you could do spiced apple cider instead of whiskey for a kid-friendly thing. Not quite the same, but pretty tasty actually.
• Where do you get your vanilla wafers? Oh, I just grab whatever’s on sale. If you want a great brand, I’ve ordered these ones online in the past. Tasty and reliable (if you don’t eat half the box first).
• Do you have a resource for other no-bake treats? Funny you should ask—there’s an awesome round-up I love at Sally’s Baking Addiction. Guaranteed to tempt you into making your kitchen a disaster, but hey, that’s half the fun, right?

One last thing: don’t stress too much about exact measurements. These balls are forgiving—a little more of this, a little less of that, you’ll still wind up with something worth hiding from your family. Now I’m off to raid the snack shelf for those last few crumbs… or maybe just start a new batch.

★★★★★ 4.80 from 120 ratings

Fireball Whiskey Balls

yield: 24 balls

prep: 25 mins

cook: 0 mins

total: 25 mins

Fireball Whiskey Balls are a no-bake dessert made with crushed vanilla wafers, cinnamon whisky, cocoa powder, and pecans, creating a sweet treat with a spicy kick.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. 1
   In a large mixing bowl, combine crushed vanilla wafers, chopped pecans, 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon.
2. 2
   In a small bowl, whisk together the corn syrup and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.
3. 3
   Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together.
4. 4
   Using your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
5. 5
   Roll each ball in the remaining powdered sugar to coat.
6. 6
   Refrigerate the balls for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor and texture.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 92 caloriescal

Protein: 0.8 gg

Fat: 3.7 gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 13 gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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