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(3,434)
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

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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.

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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

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3,434

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Private Notes

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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!

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Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 do you find pecan truffles? ›

They tend to be in more crowded, shaded sections of the orchard, often in heavier clay soils, and on the shaded east and north exposures. We have found them on numerous varieties of pecans, but their distribution within an orchard is definitely not uniform.

What do pecan truffles taste like? ›

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 versus $69–$225 per ounce).

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 much are pecan truffles per pound? ›

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 much is a pound of truffles cost? ›

Prices vary depending on the market, but white truffles can cost $4,000 per pound, and black truffles, like the ones shown above, can cost anywhere from $300 to $800 per pound.

Can you eat pecan truffles? ›

A species of truffle native to North America with a potent aroma of nuts, truffle, and soil that has nothing to do with pecan pie. Pecan truffles (Tuber lyonii) are highly recommended for any truffle lover, if you can get your hands on them.

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.

Are pecan truffles good? ›

“They stand on their own. They're earthy, and they have some of that truffle essence, but they also have a little bit of pecan flavor.” He is not alone in his admiration.

Why are truffles so expensive? ›

Pound for pound, truffle is one of the most expensive foods you can buy. The reason behind such high costs is the scarcity of the produce, truffles are seasonal, extremely difficult to grow, and take many years to cultivate. They also have a short shelf life.

What is the tastiest truffle? ›

Alba (tuber magnatum pico)

The tuber is world-famous for its aroma and exquisite taste. Travellers come from afar just to sample this amazing truffle, grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Only available from October to December, this white truffle truly is a must-try.

How big are pecan truffles? ›

Pecan truffles range in size but are generally on the modest side, often being 1/10 to 1/4 of on ounce (about 3g to 10g) per truffle.

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.

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 when truffles are ripe? ›

Selecting truffles

RIPE: Make sure the truffle is firm to the touch, and has a very slight give when pressed lightly, (about as firm as an unripe orange, or a skinned garlic clove, but dont bruise it). There should be no question as to whether it has an aroma, and there is nothing subtle about the overall perfume.

What is a good price for truffles? ›

For example, black truffles from Perigord, France are some of the most sought-after and expensive truffles in the world and can cost upwards of $1,000 per pound. White truffles from Alba, Italy are even more expensive and can cost as much as $3,000 to $4,000 per pound.

How much is 2 pounds of truffle? ›

Though prices vary depending on the strength of the growing season and the rarity of the type, Sparvoli says prices are, on average: $250 per pound for summer black truffles; $350 per pound for Burgundy, which grow from September through February; $800 per pound for winter black, which grow from November through March; ...

What is the average price of truffles? ›

Prices for fresh truffles can range anywhere from US$5 to US$300 per ounce throughout the year, depending on the type and availability. Truffles are costly because they are highly seasonal and notoriously difficult to grow, requiring very specific habitat – habitats that are currently being affected by climate change.

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