Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls

When the holiday season rolls around, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a sweet treat that feels indulgent, festive, and incredibly easy to make. These Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls are exactly that kind of dessert. Rich, chocolatey, and infused with warm bourbon flavor, they bring together the nostalgic charm of classic holiday candy with a grown-up twist. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, cozy winter gatherings, or simply treating yourself after a long day, these no-bake bites require minimal effort but deliver maximum flavor. With juicy cherries, smooth chocolate, and a hint of bourbon warmth, this is one recipe that turns simple ingredients into unforgettable holiday magic.

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What Is / Why It’s Special

Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls are a classic holiday candy inspired by traditional bourbon balls and chocolate cherry treats. Instead of baking, the ingredients are mixed, shaped, chilled, and coated in chocolate making them approachable even for beginner cooks.

What makes this version truly special is the balance of flavors. Sweet maraschino cherries bring bright fruitiness, cocoa and chocolate add richness, and bourbon contributes a subtle warmth that lingers without overpowering. Unlike overly boozy desserts, these balls are smooth, mellow, and perfectly balanced.

They also stand out as one of those easy Christmas candy recipes that feel elegant without being complicated. Whether you’re preparing desserts for a Christmas cookie exchange, assembling holiday snack platters, or gifting homemade sweets, these cherry bourbon balls deliver a luxurious feel with very little effort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Base Ingredients

• Crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Powdered sugar

These create the soft, truffle-like base that holds everything together while keeping the texture tender.

Flavor & Filling

• Maraschino cherries, finely chopped
• Bourbon (adjust to taste)
• Vanilla extract

The cherries provide moisture and bursts of sweetness, while bourbon adds depth and warmth that defines this dessert as a true boozy balls recipe.

Coating

• Semi-sweet or dark chocolate
• Optional sprinkles or sanding sugar

The chocolate shell locks in flavor and adds that satisfying snap when you bite in.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Prep the Cherries

Finely chop the maraschino cherries and gently pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is essential to ensure the mixture holds together properly and doesn’t become too soft.

Step 2 – Mix the Base

In a large bowl, combine crushed wafers, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Stir until evenly blended and smooth.

Step 3 – Add Flavor

Fold in the chopped cherries, bourbon, and vanilla extract. Mix slowly until a thick, cohesive dough forms. The mixture should be soft but not sticky.

Step 4 – Shape & Chill

Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm them up before dipping.

Step 5 – Coat in Chocolate

Melt the chocolate gently, then dip each chilled ball until fully coated. Place back on parchment and let set until the chocolate hardens.

Tips, Variations & Why You’ll Love It

These Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls are endlessly adaptable. You can swap bourbon for rum to create chocolate cherry rum balls, reduce the alcohol for a family-friendly version, or roll them in cocoa powder instead of dipping in chocolate.

You’ll love this recipe because it’s:

• Quick and no-bake
• Perfect for holiday cooking
• Ideal for gifting and parties
• Rich, cozy, and deeply satisfying

⭐Holiday Gifting & Cookie Exchange Perfection

One of the biggest reasons these Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls shine during the holidays is their incredible versatility as a giftable dessert. Unlike cookies that can crumble or frostings that smear, these bon bons travel beautifully. Once set, they hold their shape, maintain their glossy chocolate coating, and look just as stunning after transport as they did fresh from the kitchen.

For Christmas cookie exchanges, these treats instantly stand out. While many platters are filled with cookies, bars, and brownies, bourbon balls offer something unexpected a rich, bite-sized confection with depth and elegance. You can arrange them in festive paper cups, tuck them into decorative tins, or place them in small gift boxes lined with parchment for a homemade candy shop look.

They also pair beautifully with other Christmas candy recipes, making them ideal for dessert boards or holiday snack trays. Combine them with fudge squares, peppermint bark, and shortbread cookies for a balanced mix of flavors and textures. Their deep chocolate and cherry notes act as a grounding contrast to lighter, minty, or citrus-based sweets.

If you enjoy planning ahead, these cherry bourbon balls are perfect for holiday prep. Make them several days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavor often improves after a day or two as the bourbon mellows and blends more deeply with the chocolate and cherry.

For gifting, adding a small tag that notes “contains bourbon” keeps everything clear for guests while adding a touch of sophistication. These thoughtful details elevate a simple homemade sweet into something truly special the kind of cozy, heartfelt treat people remember long after the holidays end.

🎁Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezer Tips

Unlike many Sweets Treats, these Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls are ideal for planning ahead a huge advantage during busy holiday weeks.

You can prepare the mixture up to 3 days in advance and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator before shaping. Once dipped in chocolate, the finished balls keep beautifully for 7–10 days refrigerated.

They also freeze exceptionally well. Place fully set balls in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

This makes them perfect for:

• Holiday meal prep
• Early Christmas cooking
• Surprise guests
• Last-minute dessert platters

Their freezer-friendly nature is something many Boozy Desserts lack giving this recipe a real advantage over competitors.

FAQs

Conclusion

Rich, creamy, festive, and effortlessly elegant, Easy No-Bake Cherry Bourbon Balls are the kind of holiday treat that disappears fast and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re gifting, entertaining, or simply indulging, this recipe brings cozy Christmas magic to every bite.