Murphy’s Grandmother’s No Bake Walnut Bourbon Balls
So many of you have sent DMs and emails asking for this one after hearing Murphy joke on the show that these were “forbidden” when he was a little kid. Here it is, straight from his grandmother’s typed recipe card. Her note at the bottom says it all: “I always made these at Christmas time.”
2 1/2 cups finely chopped vanilla wafers (about 5 dozen)
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons white corn syrup
1/4 cup bourbon
Confectioners sugar, sifted, for rolling
Mix well the wafer crumbs, cocoa, sugar and nuts. Add corn syrup and bourbon. Blend well. Form into one-inch balls. Roll each of these in the sifted sugar. Makes about 3 dozen. No oven needed.
Need it without alcohol? Substitute the bourbon with Lyre’s non-alcoholic bourbon to keep the bite, or use orange juice instead. Orange juice makes them sweeter, so cut back on the corn syrup.
Need it without nuts? Leave out the walnuts and add another 3/4 cup of chopped vanilla wafers instead.
Looking for the rest of the table? This recipe is also in our Family Favorite Holiday Recipes 2026.
