Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe (2024)

Recipe from “VegNews Holiday Cookie Collection”

Adapted by Tara Parker-Pope

Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 30 minutes, plus 2 hours' freezing
Rating
5(3,428)
Notes
Read community notes

These festive truffles from Hannah Kaminsky, a columnist at VegNews Magazine, combine the rich flavors of pecan pie under a thin layer of smooth chocolate. (To make these vegan, be sure to use vegan dark chocolate.) Like traditional rum balls, these offer a slightly alcoholic kick, so be sure to monitor any underage guests. —Tara Parker-Pope

Featured in: Well's Vegetarian Thanksgiving 2010

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:24 truffles

  • cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped
  • 1cup graham cracker crumbs (from about 8 whole graham crackers)
  • 1cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • ½teaspoon salt
  • 2tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¼cup bourbon
  • 1teaspoon vanilla
  • 7ounces dark chocolate

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (24 servings)

177 calories; 12 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 69 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a medium bowl, stir together pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Add maple syrup, bourbon and vanilla, stirring thoroughly. Use your hands to make sure the mixture becomes fully incorporated.

  2. Form mixture into walnut-sized balls, then place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours.

  3. Step

    3

    In the top of a double boiler or in a medium stainless steel bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water, melt chocolate (we recommend tempering the chocolate, but if you don't, they'll still be delicious, just a bit messy). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the frozen balls into the melted chocolate, then place onto prepared baking sheet. Let sit for 15 minutes or until firm.

Ratings

5

out of 5

3,428

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Cperks

A note to other unexperienced truffle makers: I had trouble rolling them into balls because they were so sticky until I realized that if I wet my hands they wouldn't stick and roll into very nice balls.

Heath

I made these Thanksgiving morning and served them that afternoon. They were a big hit, but I found the bourbon flavor to be a bit overwhelming. However, I had a few left over, and the following day the bourbon flavor had mellowed out. I enjoyed them much more the following day. I recommend making them the day before you plan to serve them.

Have made this four times,

Combine maple syrup, bourbon, 2 tablespoons of butter and sugar & salt in a small glass bowl and microwave it twice 30 seconds each time. This will dissolve the sugar and reduce the grittiness. Pulse half the pecans after toasting with the graham crackers. Makes a smoother mixture. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon Use a # 40 cookie scoop balls.Freeze and double dip into 10 oz of chocolate plus 2 tablespoons solid fat such as coconut oil. Sprinkle with a few grains of course sea salt

tom

A quarter cup of bourbon is nothing. I would be more concerned that kids ate a half pound of sugar!

Jo Ann Henderson

I thought these little nuggets were pretty good. Personally, I like their boozy quality. I agree that the brown sugar made the texture a little grainy, but that can be eliminated by the use of agave or honey as a sweetener instead. I thought they lacked richness that a couple table spoons of melted butter might add. The butter will eliminate the crumbliness (after refrigerating) when rolling. Upscale alternative to rum balls.

JamesDJ

I just had a fantasy: melt a stick of unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat, then put in all the ingredients (except chocolate) and cook until everything is blended and a bit of the alcohol has burned off. Then scrape into a bowl and refrigerate for a couple of hours until the mixture is cool and set. Then, using a small spoon or melon baller, form into balls, freeze the balls, and then perform step 3. I don't have a kitchen so please someone try this and tell me about it.

fatatita

you could substitute orange juice for the bourbon

Sara

My assumption when I first read this recipe was that it needed melted butter to help bind the filling so I added 1/2 cup to the nut mixture. I used the maple syrup but I think honey would be better. And since I'm not a fan of Bourbon I omitted it. I was short on time and only refrigerated the balls for 30 minutes before dipping them in the chocolate and that was fine. My results were excellent.

Kay Kay

I also felt it needed butter however I thought browning the butter would give it an extra kick and it did. DELICIOUS! I increased the crumbs slightly and added a quarter cup of browned butter.

Maria

Combine maple syrup, bourbon, 2 tablespoons of butter and sugar & salt in a small glass bowl and microwave it twice 30 seconds each time. This will dissolve the sugar and reduce the grittiness. Pulse half the pecans after toasting with the graham crackers. Makes a smoother mixture. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon Use a # 40 cookie scoop balls.Freeze and double dip into 10 oz of chocolate plus 2 tablespoons solid fat such as coconut oil.

Shane

These are really wonderful and easy to make. If you're concerned about the alcohol do what I did - add the nuts to the mix directly from the oven, immediately after you mix in the alcohol. The heat burns off the booze while leaving the flavor. These will now be a household staple in our home.

Alyce Mantia Price

I made these with Biscoff wafers and the spiced flavor was fabulous!! Otherwise I made them exactly as posted.

Margaret

Iv'e made something similar a few Christmas' ago using Digestives (A British cookie) instead of Graham crackers . . . Just divine & the perfect hostess/host gift!
For gluten-free, just use any plain sweet gluten-free cookie.

MTM

These are delicious - raves all around. BUT does anyone have a hint for making the chocolate a little thinner so the coating goes more smoothly. I saw one recipe for tempering chocolate that called for adding fat. Does anyone have a solution.

And, like many others, 7 oz. is about half of what is needed.

Yassmeen

These have been a staple of my Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners since I first tried them a few years back. I always make a double batch to share. SO GOOD! And I agree with another poster who noted you should wet your hands when rolling the truffles--way less messy and more manageable that way. I think it also helps if you pulse the pecans and graham crackers very finely.

Cindy

Fun to make and delicious. My first attempt at candy making! Took others' advice: Biscoff Biscuits instead of Grahams, butter, food processor. Doubled the recipe with some being dark choco and other milk choco. Experimented with some orange and orange liquor but the lavor got lost. Mine weren't as pretty as the picture but not back for a novice.

Mina

Delicious! I pulsed all of the pecans with the graham crackers. They are a little gritty--next time, I'll try melting the sugar with the bourbon and maple syrup beforehand. Added coconut oil to the chocolate. The amount in the recipe was just about perfect--the last two truffles didn't get a full coating, but I decided those were my chef's treat. I used the narrowest bowl I had to maximize the depth (and therefore, the usable amount) of the chocolate. Half a recipe made 22 truffles.

Nat

Just made these and fell in love. Ended up making a few adjustments that worked great. I used ginger beer to replace the bourbon, as I do not like the taste of bourbon. I didn’t have maple syrup so I used honey, which while sticky did help hold the balls together. And we had speculoos cookies around for the holidays so we used that instead of graham crackers-I loved the spice that it gave the cookies. A great recipe that will be sticking around in this house.

Barbara

We loved these pecan balls. However we all felt they should be called bourbon balls. We couldn't taste the pecans or graham crackers. It was easy to make. I will try them again without the bourbon to see if they have more of the pecan pie taste.

Cooking in Flagstaff

These are a go- to favorite around the holidays! Boozy, nutty and delicious!

Sumati

Underwhelmed. Mine are kind of messy and irregular, but I don't mind that. Just too awfully sweet. Maybe I'm just not a truffle person.

josephine

I wish the recipe had said to keep out a few pecan bits out so you can add them to the top of the truffles like the photo shows. I added all of them into the mixture before I realized I should’ve kept some out.

Dolly

I learned how to temper chocolate for this recipe. I found it impossible to “dip” the frozen balls into the bowl of chocolate without them falling apart and cooling the chocolate too quickly causing the need to reheat which didn’t work well with the cookie grit in it. I would try these again but would spoon the hot chocolate over each one rather than trying to dip again.

Carol

Really liked these, but used about half the brown sugar that the recipe called for. Still PLENTY sweet! Also, tempered the chocolate as per the video and only had enough for 17 balls. Next time I will buy 10 0z of chocolate.

chris

I have substituted espresso (either regular or decaf) for the bourbon to accommodate a family member who dislikes the taste of alcohol. I’ve used a Nespresso machine, but I suspect instant would also work.

Andrew

I made two batches - one as written (plus 1 tsp of cinnamon) and one using some of the tweaks I read about in the comments. The regular one was far better. Other comments talk about the grittiness of the sugar and the booziness of them...but those are the best parts! I’ve had them in my fridge for about a week now and I definitely feel like they’ve gotten better the longer they sit, so I’ll try to make these in advance next time.

Stacey

I replaced the bourbon with apple cider to make a more kid-friendly version, and it turned out great. I love the bourbon version better, but a reasonable swap for those looking.

Stacey of the North

Add 1/4 cup browned butter, and melt the sugar in the butter. Also chop 1/2 of the pecans finer after toasting.

GC

One more thing....Also doubled the amount of chocolate to two bars, total 8 oz. This made enough for dipping without worrying about any chocolate lost through splatters, etc. Set up an assembly line and relax with the dipping....

GC

These are delicious! Nobody could stop eating them! Very rich but taste special!!! Made as directed except added a little extra bourbon (maybe 1/2 cup total) and extra maple syrup to help everything stick together. I would call these pecan bourbon "balls" not "truffles" as that is more what they are but they are great! Also, used chopsticks to dip them in chocolate, worked really well. The chocolate drips right off and you can just place the balls down to dry. Yum! Highly recommend!

Private notes are only visible to you.

Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are pecan truffles edible? ›

However, the pecan is not its only symbiote. Formerly considered nothing more than a nuisance by pecan farmers, the pecan truffle has been gaining in popularity as an edible mushroom in recent years and can fetch over $160 per pound at market.

How do you identify a pecan truffle? ›

The pecan truffle has several key features that separate it from other common fungi. For instance, it has a rounded, subterranean fruiting body that can be lobed, with shallow to deep furrows, and it has yellowish, tan to dark brown skin.

What time of year do pecan truffles grow? ›

However, pecan truffles are common and widespread in pecan growing regions of the Southeast and some orchards can produce two or more pounds of truffles per acre per year (Smith & Brenneman, personal observation). This truffle fruits August to November on a variety of soil types.

How to harvest pecan truffles? ›

We have found them by simply raking the surface of the soil with a stiff-tined garden rake. Of course, a trained dog or pig would help since they are not usually visible above ground!

Are pecan truffles valuable? ›

The pecan truffle is desirable because it has a distinct flavor (nutty and earthy) and is currently more affordable than most imported truffle species (i.e., $10-20 per ounce vs. $69-225).

How much are pecan truffles worth? ›

Commercially, fresh pecan truffles are sold for approximately $10–20 per ounce (typically 1–4 truffles per ounce), which makes them more affordable than some imported truffle species such as Tuber melanosporum (the European black truffle).

How deep are pecan truffles? ›

Pecan truffles are typically found a few inches below the soil's surface; some may even partially appear above ground if the soil is moved. The fungi traditionally grow at the base of pecan trees and are also found in the roots of hickories, hazelnuts, chestnuts, oaks, and basswood trees.

What do false truffles look like? ›

Looking very much like a potato and just as variable in size and shape, the Yellow False Truffle is typically 1.5 to 4.5cm across its largest dimension and can be ovoid, ellipsoidal, an oblate spheroid or a lobed blob... shapeless is the term that most readily comes to mind!

What do fake truffles look like? ›

Whereas the interior of the true truffle is marbled and solid, the interior of the false truffle is mostly not marbled like the true truffle, but instead most have a pulp-like interior. Some species have a black-and-white appearance or a brown color; other species have a white interior.

Why do you hunt truffles at night? ›

Truffles are easier to find at night. There's less noise to distract the dogs, and the soil aerates at night, allowing truffle fumes to waft up more strongly.

What color are truffle spores in pecans? ›

Microscopic Features: Spores 28–32 x 15–18 µm excluding ornamentation; ellipsoid; densely spiny with spines 1–3 µm long; also reticulate with low connecting lines; thick-walled; yellowish-brownish in KOH.

Why are truffles so hard to find? ›

Truffles are formed by fungi that are partners (ectomycorrhizal) with certain trees. You will not find truffles under maples, for instance, because maples do not form ectomycorrhizae. Trees to use as clues include: pines, firs, Douglas-fir, oaks, hazel nuts, hickories, birches, beeches, and eucalyptus.

How do you know where to dig for truffles? ›

The best way to find truffles is to look for them in areas where they are known to grow. Truffles typically grow in forests or wooded areas. You can also look for truffles by following the trails of animals that like to eat them, such as pigs or deer.

Can you find truffles without a dog? ›

Truffles have a unique scent that is difficult for humans to detect. While some people have successfully found truffles using their own senses, it is generally more reliable to rely on trained animals for truffle hunting.

Do you have to peel truffles? ›

Peel black truffles, saving the peel to flavor other dishes or to infuse olive oil, but use white truffles unpeeled. Grate truffles on a grater, or cut them into paper-thin slices, or shavings, with a vegetable peeler, a mandoline or a tool called a truffle slicer.

What is a pecan truffle? ›

Tuber lyonii, known as the Pecan truffle, is native to North America and is most commonly found in the southern United States in association with Pecan orchards although it also is found in native forests from Florida north into Quebec, Canada and west to the Rocky Mountains.

Are all truffles safe to eat? ›

What truffle species are edible? There are 5 main truffle species which are known for their culinary value (Bianchetto Truffles, Summer Black Truffles, Burgundy Truffles, White Truffles, and Winter Black Truffles - tuber borchii, tuber aestivum, tuber uncinatum, tuber magnatum, tuber melanosporum respectively).

Are all truffles edible? ›

Don't let their appearance fool you — these natural wonders are packed with incredible flavor! While there are different varieties of truffles, only some are considered edible for humans. Many wild, non-commercial varieties are toxic.

Can all truffles be eaten? ›

Not all species of truffles are edible. Small squirrels will eat many species you would find smell terrible. And not all fungi you & your dog may find will be classified as truffles. Some dogs make generalizations on odor and will find a variety of different species they are not specifically trained on.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 5973

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.