Honey Ginger Bourbon Balls

I kind of wish that it was fall/Christmas all year! Here it is, the end of summer and here I am posting a decidedly Christmas-y cookie. I love the homey, spicy flavors usually associated with those seasons, and this cookie includes ginger and honey. In one way these are perfect for summer: they’re no bake! So you could argue that they are just right for the end of summer when the weather is so warm. (Well, it’s not always been warm in the Seattle area this summer!)

I make a lot of recipes from this cookbook: Favorite Brand Name Cookie Collection. It’s a collection of recipes from different companies and I’ve found the recipes to be very approachable and they always turn out well. My cookbook is pretty messy, splattered with bits of dough and chocolate. That just shows that it’s a well loved book. I’m not sure which company supplied this recipe, since it doesn’t include any obvious name brand products.

I also like this recipe because it only uses a little bit of a package of gingersnap cookies. That means that there are leftover gingersnaps to eat! As much as I love homemade cookies, there are some store-bought ones that you just can’t replicate. Those crispy gingersnaps are one of those cookies. Just grind up the cookies, add the other ingredients, roll into balls and you’re done. This recipe is easy and can be made in advance. The cookies keep for several weeks in the refrigerator, good to keep around in case you want something sweet.

1 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
¼ cup bourbon
Additional powdered sugar

Combine gingersnap crumbs, sugar and pecans in a large bowl. Combine chocolate and honey in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds; stir until chocolate is melted. Blend in the bourbon. Stir the liquids into the crumb mixture and stir to combine.

Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in powdered sugar. Refrigerate until firm. The flavor of the balls improves with time.

Recipe from Favorite Brand Name Cookie Collection