The Perfect Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings always spark my love for christmas chocolate pecan pie balls, a delightful no-bake treat that combines rich flavors in one perfect bite.

Clusters of toasted pecans blend seamlessly with decadent chocolate and festive spices.

Minimal kitchen skills guarantee success with this simple dessert.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen inspired my passion for creating these irresistible confections.

Each small sphere promises a burst of seasonal warmth and indulgence.

Unexpected guests will adore these elegant, make-ahead morsels that disappear quickly from any dessert platter.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles bloom around the table.

What Makes Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls So Loved

• Craft Quick Delights: These chocolate pecan balls are super simple to prepare with minimal kitchen skills required, perfect for novice and experienced bakers alike.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using just a few pantry staples like chocolate, cream cheese, and pecans, you can create a decadent treat without complicated shopping trips.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These bite-sized treats work wonderfully for gatherings, potlucks, holiday parties, or as a sweet after-dinner indulgence that everyone will love.
• Customize with Ease: Swap out ingredients or add different toppings like crushed candy, coconut flakes, or drizzled chocolate to make these balls uniquely yours.

What You Need For Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls

• Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate provides the primary flavor and creamy foundation for the truffles.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy texture for the mixture.
• Cocoa Powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and deepens the color of the truffles.

• Cream Cheese: Contributes a tangy richness and helps bind the truffle mixture together.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps balance the chocolate's intensity.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes.
• Salt: Highlights and balances the sweet chocolate flavors.

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a subtle crunch and helps absorb moisture in the mixture.
• Pecans: Offers a nutty flavor and adds textural interest to the truffles.
• White Chocolate: Creates a smooth, elegant coating for the truffles.

• Pecans (Finely Chopped): Adds a decorative and crunchy finish to the truffles.

Simple Steps For Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls

Step 1: Grind Pecans into Fine Crumbs

Use a food processor to pulse pecans until they transform into a delicate, sandy texture without any large chunks remaining.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter

Combine chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals, stirring every 30 seconds until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Blend in Cocoa Powder

Whisk cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture, ensuring complete integration and eliminating any lumps.

Step 4: Create Creamy Chocolate Base

• Cream cheese
• Honey
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Step 5: Incorporate Crunchy Elements

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Ground pecans

Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Chill the Mixture

Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to firm up the mixture, making it easier to shape into balls.

Step 7: Shape Chocolate Pecan Balls

Using clean hands, roll the chilled mixture into compact, uniform spheres about 1 inch in diameter.

Step 8: Prepare White Chocolate Coating

Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring carefully to prevent burning.

Step 9: Coat the Balls

Dip each chocolate pecan ball completely into the melted white chocolate, ensuring full coverage.

Step 10: Add Final Decorative Touch

Place coated balls on a parchment-lined tray and sprinkle with finely chopped pecans.

Step 11: Set the Coating

Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set the white chocolate and firm up the balls.

Step 12: Store and Enjoy

Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing flavors to develop and texture to stabilize.

Tips That Make Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls Even Better

• Grind Pecans Perfectly: Pulse nuts in short bursts to achieve a fine, sandy texture without turning them into butter, preventing clumpy mixtures.
• Melt Chocolate Smoothly: Use 30-second intervals when microwaving chocolate and butter, stirring between each burst to prevent scorching and ensure glossy consistency.
• Control Mixture Texture: Chill the mixture for exactly 20-30 minutes to make rolling easier, creating uniform ball shapes without cracking or falling apart.
• Coat with Precision: Dip chocolate pecan balls in melted white chocolate using a fork, allowing excess to drip off for a thin, elegant coating that showcases the treat's shape.
• Store Smartly: Keep truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their pristine appearance and prevent sticking.

Creative Spins On Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs, ensuring the same binding texture while maintaining a delicious flavor profile.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap cream cheese for cashew cream, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select dairy-free white chocolate for coating, creating a plant-based treat that's rich and creamy.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce total sugar content while preserving the decadent chocolate essence of the original recipe.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Remove pecans entirely and use sunflower seed meal as a crunchy replacement, keeping the overall texture similar and making the recipe accessible for those with nut allergies.

Yummy Pairings For Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls

• Pair Sweet White Chocolate Pecan Truffles with Complementary Flavors
• Elevate Dessert Wine Companion: Select a late harvest Riesling or moscato, which offers honeyed sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the truffle's creamy white chocolate exterior and nutty pecan undertones.
• Craft Coffee Matching Strategy: Brew a medium-roast Colombian coffee with subtle caramel notes, providing a warm, smooth counterpoint that enhances the truffle's rich chocolate complexity without overwhelming its delicate texture.
• Create Cocktail Fusion Experience: Mix a classic brandy old-fashioned with orange bitters, allowing the drink's gentle warmth and citrus hints to cut through the truffles' decadent sweetness while highlighting their sophisticated nutty profile.

Best Way To Keep Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls Fresh

• Seal leftovers in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 7 days, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual chocolate pecan balls tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without compromising taste or quality.
• Let chilled balls sit at ambient temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor profile.
• Remove frozen balls from freezer and transfer to refrigerator overnight. Allow gradual thawing to preserve structural integrity and prevent moisture condensation.

Top Questions About Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls

• Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Yes, you can substitute pecans with almonds or walnuts, which will give a similar texture and nutty flavor to the chocolate balls.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not entirely. The graham cracker crumbs contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers or replace them with almond flour.

• How do I prevent the chocolate balls from falling apart?

Ensure the mixture is well-chilled before shaping and use clean, slightly damp hands when rolling to help the balls hold together better.

• Can I make these chocolate balls ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare them up to 3 days in advance and keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.

Christmas Chocolate Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic comes alive with christmas chocolate pecan pie balls, combining rich pecans and chocolate in bite-sized festive treats. Small confections deliver intense flavor and delightful seasonal cheer you’ll savor with each delectable morsel.

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Ingredients

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Chocolate Base:

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Nuts and Crumbs:

• 1.5 cups pecans
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Binding and Coating:

• 1/3 cup cream cheese
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup white chocolate (for coating)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely ground, creating a sandy texture without large chunks.
2. Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and glossy.
3. Incorporate cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture, whisking until completely integrated and free of lumps.
4. Add cream cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and salt to the chocolate base, mixing until the mixture becomes a uniform, silky consistency.
5. Fold in graham cracker crumbs and ground pecans, stirring until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. Refrigerate the mixture for 20-30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.
7. Using clean hands, roll the chilled mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter.
8. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring carefully to prevent burning.
9. Gently dip each chocolate pecan ball into the melted white chocolate, ensuring complete coverage.
10. Place coated balls on a parchment-lined tray and sprinkle with additional finely chopped pecans for decoration.
11. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set the white chocolate coating and firm up the balls.
12. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.

Notes

• Grind pecans finely to ensure a smooth, consistent texture without large chunks that might disrupt the ball’s delicate structure.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for easier blending and a more uniform mixture without lumps or uneven distribution.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly before shaping to prevent sticky hands and help maintain the perfect ball shape during rolling.
• Melt chocolate carefully at low temperatures to avoid burning, which can cause a grainy or separated coating.
• Consider using dairy-free white chocolate and vegan cream cheese for a plant-based version that maintains the rich, decadent flavor profile.
• Pat excess white chocolate off gently after dipping to create a cleaner, more professional-looking finish.
• Experiment with different nut coatings like crushed candy canes or toasted coconut for festive seasonal variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Rolling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg