Description

This Quick No-Bake Pecan Dessert Balls recipe offers a deliciously sweet and nutty treat that requires minimal preparation and no baking. Combining caramel or sweetened condensed milk with crunchy pecans, crushed graham crackers, and butter, these bite-sized dessert balls are perfect for a quick snack or festive occasion. Rolled in chopped pecans for extra crunch, they can be optionally drizzled with chocolate or caramel and garnished with whole pecans for an elegant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

1 cup chopped pecans (divided)
1/2 cup caramel sauce or sweetened condensed milk
1 cup crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch sea salt (optional)

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Instructions

Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter slowly to prevent browning and ensure it becomes fully liquid.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the caramel sauce (or sweetened condensed milk), brown sugar if using, and vanilla extract to the melted butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and completely combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers until the mixture thickens and forms a sticky dough consistency.
Incorporate Pecans: Fold in half of the chopped pecans (1/2 cup), mixing thoroughly to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
Chill Mixture: Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes until it firms up enough to shape.
Form Balls: Once chilled and firm, use your hands to roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls.
Coat Balls: Roll each formed ball in the remaining chopped pecans to coat the exterior, adding a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Optional Garnish: For extra flair, drizzle the balls with chocolate or caramel and press a whole pecan on top of each one before serving.

Notes

You can substitute caramel sauce with sweetened condensed milk for different flavor variations.
Using vanilla wafers instead of graham crackers will give a slightly different but equally tasty base.
Brown sugar is optional and adds extra sweetness if desired.
Store the dessert balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For a festive touch, drizzle melted chocolate over the balls before chilling again.