These Booze Balls Have a Secret Ingredient You’ll Love

These Booze Balls are the ultimate no-bake treat for grown-ups. Made with crushed vanilla wafers, Nutella, and a splash of almond-flavored Amaretto, they’re rich, chocolatey, and coated in coconut for a sweet finish. Perfect for holiday parties, edible gifts, or anytime you want an easy dessert with a boozy kick, these Amaretto balls come together in minutes and chill to perfection in the fridge.

A plate filled with chocolate Amaretto balls coated in shredded coconut, neatly arranged and ready to serve.

Ingredient Tips

Overhead view of Amaretto ball ingredients arranged in glass bowls on a white surface, including vanilla wafers, chopped pecans, shredded coconut, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, Nutella, pure vanilla extract, and a bottle of Amaretto liqueur.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Vanilla wafers: Crush into fine crumbs for best texture. Graham crackers can be substituted if wafers aren’t available.
Pecans: Finely chop so they blend evenly. Walnuts can be used instead.
Powdered sugar: Sift before mixing to avoid lumps.
Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa to balance the sweetness.
Nutella: Provides richness and binds the mixture. Do not substitute with peanut butter, as it changes flavor and texture.
Amaretto liqueur: Adds almond flavor and moisture. For a stronger flavor, increase slightly, but too much will make the mixture sticky.
Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
Shredded coconut: Sweetened or unsweetened works. If coconut doesn’t stick well, roll the balls a second time.

Recipe Success Tips

Chill before serving: Refrigerating helps the booze balls firm up and improves flavor.
Adjust consistency if needed: If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash more Amaretto. If it’s too wet, add extra crushed wafers.
Uniform size: Use a cookie scoop for even-sized balls so they chill at the same rate.
Better coconut coating: Roll each ball firmly in coconut, pressing lightly so it sticks.
Make ahead: These can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to serve, making them an ideal party treat.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday platters: Arrange with cookies, truffles, and fudge for an easy party dessert spread.
Coffee pairing: Serve chilled booze balls alongside espresso or cappuccino for a rich after-dinner treat.
Gift giving: Package in decorative tins or small boxes lined with parchment paper for homemade holiday gifts.
Party trays: Place in mini paper candy cups for a neat and festive presentation.
Wine or cocktail pairing: Pair with dessert wines or cocktails that complement the Amaretto flavor.

Questions You Might Have

Can I make booze balls without alcohol?

Yes, replace the Amaretto with 2-3 tablespoons of milk and ½ teaspoon almond extract. The texture and flavor will still be delicious.

Can I use a different liqueur?

Absolutely. Baileys, Kahlua, or Frangelico all work well and give different flavor twists.

What else can I roll the balls in besides coconut?

Try powdered sugar, cocoa powder, sprinkles, or finely chopped nuts for a different finish.

Do booze balls taste stronger the next day?

Yes, the flavors develop as they sit. They’re often even better after resting overnight in the fridge.

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Recipe

Close-up of chocolate Amaretto balls coated in shredded coconut, stacked in a bowl with one ball bitten open to reveal a nutty chocolate interior and a cherry piece inside.

Recipe

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Booze Balls (Amaretto Balls)

Prep Time 10

Total Time 40

30 balls

These no-bake Amaretto Balls are rich, nutty, and irresistibly chocolatey with a hint of almond liqueur. Made with crushed vanilla wafers, Nutella, and a coconut coating, they’re an elegant treat that comes together in just minutes – perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you want something sweet without turning on the oven.

Equipment

Food processor
Large mixing bowl
Rubber Spatula
Small cookie scoop
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Ingredients

▢ 1 11oz box vanilla wafers finely crushed
▢ 1 cup toasted pecans finely chopped
▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
▢ 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 1 cup Nutella
▢ ⅔ cup Amaretto liqueur
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
▢ ⅔ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the vanilla wafers in a food processor and pulse until finely ground.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed wafers, pecans, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, Nutella, Amaretto, and vanilla extract. Mix with a rubber spatula until fully combined.
Use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each between your palms until smooth.
Spread the coconut on a plate. Roll each ball in the coconut, pressing gently so it adheres evenly.
Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

The coconut sticks best when you press lightly and roll the balls several times.
For a variation, substitute walnuts for the pecans.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 week.
These are best served chilled straight from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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