If you’re a fan of that classic pecan pie flavor but want something a little more bite-sized and fun, you’re going to flip for this Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe. These little gems are buttery, nutty, with a hit of bourbon and cinnamon, all wrapped in silky chocolate. I absolutely love how they melt in your mouth and deliver all that pecan pie goodness without any fuss. Trust me, once you try making these, you’ll find yourself reaching for one (or three) whenever a sweet craving hits.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the Flavors of Pecan Pie: You get pecans, cinnamon, brown sugar, and bourbon notes all in one bite-sized treat.
- Simple to Make: No complicated steps or baking required, just mix, chill, dip, and enjoy.
- Perfect for Gifting: These truffles are elegant and festive — always a hit at parties or holiday gift baskets.
- Customizable: You can skip the bourbon or swap toppings to make these your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe, the ingredients come together to create that warm, cozy pecan pie flavor without the hassle of pie crust or ovens. The combo of toasted pecans, sweet brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon makes a real difference—you’ll want to keep these pantry staples on hand.
- Pecans: Absolutely essential for that nutty crunch; lightly toasting them before pulsing brings out their full flavor.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds texture and a buttery base that complements pecans perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter: Makes the mixture rich and smooth—don’t swap it for salted or your balance might be off.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Provides that deep caramel sweetness crucial to pecan pie’s signature taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch helps balance sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness with a hint of complexity.
- Bourbon (or Orange Juice): I love bourbon here for the warmth and depth, but orange juice works great for a kid-friendly option.
- Cinnamon: The spice that makes this recipe cozy and aromatic.
- Vanilla: Brings out all the other flavors so they sing together.
- Coconut or Vegetable Oil: Helps smooth out the melted chocolate for dipping.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate: The perfect coating to contrast the sweet, nutty filling.
Variations
I’m all about mixing things up depending on my mood or the crowd. This Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe is super flexible, so tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs — I encourage you to make it your own.
- Boozy or Not: I discovered this trick when some guests preferred less alcohol, so swapping bourbon for orange juice works and keeps the flavor bright.
- Chocolate Choices: You can try dark, milk, or even white chocolate depending on your preference or the season.
- Nut Alternatives: For a different twist, swap pecans with walnuts or almonds—I’ve tried walnuts and they add a nice buttery crunch.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers to accommodate gluten sensitivities without losing texture.
How to Make Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Pulse Pecans and Graham Crackers
Start by adding your pecans and graham crackers to a food processor. I like to toast the pecans lightly first in a dry pan to make their flavor pop, but that’s optional. Pulse until you get a fine crumbly mixture, but avoid turning it into nut butter. You want some texture to hold onto the filling. Transfer this to a large bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sweet Syrup Base
In a saucepan, combine butter, dark brown sugar, salt, maple syrup, bourbon (or orange juice), cinnamon, and vanilla. Over medium heat, stir frequently until the sugar dissolves and everything melds together—usually about 5 minutes. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn! Then take it off the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Mix and Form the Truffles
Once the syrup has cooled slightly, pour it into the pecan and graham cracker crumbs. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until the mixture is combined and sticky enough to hold. Now scoop up portions and roll them into 1-inch balls with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky, chilling it briefly helps. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then freeze for 2 hours so they’re firm enough to dip.
Step 4: Dip in Chocolate
When your truffles are frozen solid, melt the semi-sweet chocolate with oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each until smooth. Dipping frozen truffles helps keep their shape and creates a nice crunch with the chocolate shell. Quickly dunk each ball in the chocolate, tap off excess, and set back on the parchment paper. If you want, sprinkle flaky sea salt or chopped pecans on top for that extra wow factor. Let them sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
Pro Tips for Making Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe
- Toast Your Pecans: Toasting enhances the nutty flavor and gives your truffles an irresistibly rich base.
- Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Melt in short bursts and stir often to avoid burning or seizing your chocolate.
- Chill Before Dipping: Freezing helps maintain firm truffles that hold their shape when dipped and cool.
- Use Fresh Graham Crackers: Crumbs taste best when made fresh from whole crackers rather than pre-packaged crumbs.
How to Serve Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing these truffles with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt—it really balances the sweetness—and sometimes a little chopped pecan on top for crunch and a pretty touch. If you’re feeling fancy, a tiny dusting of cinnamon powder or even a drizzle of white chocolate adds some flair.
Side Dishes
These truffles are rich enough to be a stand-alone treat, but they also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a chai latte. For parties, I like serving them alongside a cheese platter or fresh fruit slices to keep things balanced and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, I’ve wrapped them individually in cellophane tied with rustic twine or popped them into mini cupcake liners and placed them in decorative tins. Another fun idea is stacking them in a clear glass jar layered with chopped pecans and cinnamon sticks as eye-catching edible gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep any leftover pecan pie truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, and I find chilling them again before serving restores their perfect texture.
Freezing
Since you freeze them before dipping, these truffles take freezing very well. Just stash them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper. They can last for about 2 months frozen—perfect to prep ahead for holidays or unexpected guests!
Reheating
Technically, you don’t really reheat these; I bring them to room temperature straight from the fridge or freezer before serving. If you want the chocolate to soften a bit, just let them sit out for 10-15 minutes—you’ll get that perfect melt-in-your-mouth experience.
FAQs
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Can I make these truffles without bourbon?
Absolutely! If you prefer an alcohol-free version or want to make them kid-friendly, substitute the bourbon with orange juice. It adds a nice citrus brightness that complements the rest of the flavors beautifully.
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How long do pecan pie truffles last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these truffles last up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet—they hold up well for up to two months frozen.
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Can I use different types of nuts?
Yes! While pecans give the classic pecan pie flavor, walnuts or almonds also work nicely. Just be sure to toast them lightly for the best flavor and texture.
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Is it okay to skip the chocolate coating?
You could, but the chocolate adds a lovely contrast and seals in the flavors. If you want to skip it, maybe try rolling the balls in extra nut pieces or powdered sugar for a different finish.
Final Thoughts
I still remember the first time I made this Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe — it was during a holiday party, and the moment folks took a bite, the room lit up with “Mmm!” These tiny bites capture everything I love about pecan pie, but they’re so much easier to share and enjoy whenever you want a treat. I hope you’ll give this a try in your kitchen soon — once you do, I bet your friends and family will be asking for the recipe too!
Print
Pecan Pie Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 truffles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Pecan Pie Truffles are decadent bite-sized treats combining the rich flavors of pecans, maple syrup, and bourbon with a smooth chocolate coating. Perfect as a holiday dessert or special occasion snack, they feature a crunchy pecan and graham cracker center coated in melted semi-sweet chocolate, optionally topped with flaky sea salt or pecan pieces for extra texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Truffle Mixture
- 2 ½ cups pecans
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8 graham crackers)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon or orange juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
- 1 tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
Optional Toppings
- Flaky sea salt
- Pecan pieces
Instructions
- Process Nuts and Crackers: Using a food processor, pulse pecans and graham crackers until you achieve a fine, crumbly mixture. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and set aside.
- Prepare Sugar Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, salt, maple syrup, bourbon (or orange juice), cinnamon, and vanilla. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully melts and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Take care not to burn it.
- Cool Sugar Mixture: Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes so it thickens slightly.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the cooled sugar mixture into the bowl with the pecan and graham cracker crumbs. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until well combined into a sticky dough.
- Form Truffle Balls: Scoop portions of the mixture into your hands and roll them into bite-sized balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Freeze: Freeze the formed truffles for 2 hours to firm up before dipping.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oil and semi-sweet chocolate. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and fully melted (around 90 seconds total). Avoid burning the chocolate.
- Dip Truffles: Quickly dip each frozen truffle into the melted chocolate coating, then place back on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt or pecan pieces if desired.
- Set Coating: Allow the chocolate to harden at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Storage: Store the truffles in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Cooking the bourbon with the sugar burns off the alcohol, leaving just the flavor. For a stronger boozy kick, add bourbon after the sugar mixture has cooled instead of cooking it together.
- Use parchment paper to prevent truffles from sticking during freezing and dipping.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing the brown sugar slightly if desired.
- Substitute orange juice for bourbon to make a non-alcoholic version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg