History
Ruth Hanly Booe of Frankfort's Rebecca Ruth Candy is credited with inventing the bourbon ball in the late 1930s, after a chance remark about pairing her candy with Kentucky whiskey. The combination of bourbon fondant, pecan and dark chocolate became the Commonwealth's definitive confection, boxed for Derby parties, Keeneland meets and Christmas across Lexington and beyond.
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Common allergens: Dairy, Nuts
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 100g pecans, toasted and chopped, plus 24 halves
- 60ml bourbon
- 115g butter, softened
- 400g icing sugar
- 250g dark chocolate, chopped
Method
- Soak the chopped pecans in the bourbon for at least 2 hours, or overnight for a stronger candy.
- Beat the butter and icing sugar together, then work in the soaked pecans and any unabsorbed bourbon.
- Roll into walnut-sized balls, set on a lined tray and freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
- Melt the chocolate over barely simmering water, dip each ball to coat and top with a pecan half.
- Chill until set; they keep for two weeks in a sealed tin, improving for the first few days.
Tip from the editors. Use a bourbon you would drink; the whiskey is raw in the centre, so a harsh bottle makes a harsh candy.
Where to eat bourbon balls
Bourbon balls in Lexington
Featured by TableJourney as a signature dish of Lexington. See where to eat Bourbon balls in Lexington or the Lexington signature dishes guide.
Bourbon balls in Louisville
Muth's Candies ★ 4.7
Muths Candies on East Market is the 1921 Louisville confectioner where modjeskas (caramel marshmallow) are still hand-rolled, three blocks past Whiskey Row.
Why locals goLocals send tourists to Whiskey Row; insiders walk three blocks south to Muth's, the 1921 confectioner where modjeskas are still rolled by hand.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Modjeska is the heritage candy: caramel marshmallow.
More places near Muth's Candies
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- MeeshMeesh Mediterranean Levantine, under 100 m away
- Garage Bar Wood-fired Pizza, American, about 100 m away
- Garage Bar wood-fired counter Street food, about 100 m away
- Royals Hot Chicken Nashville-style Hot Chicken, about 200 m away
- bar Vetti Italian, about 200 m away
- Lou Lou on Market Soul food, about 300 m away
More cities are in research. Want bourbon balls covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.