Sweet Maple Pecan Balls Recipe: A Nutty Treat

Sweet, nutty maple pecan delight balls dance with comforting flavors that instantly warm the heart.

These delectable treats blend rich, smooth maple syrup with toasted pecans for an irresistible snack.

Crafted with simple ingredients, the maple pecan delight balls bring a delightful twist to traditional desserts.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch that melts in your mouth.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this delightful recipe.

No baking required means you can whip up these delicious morsels in minutes.

Indulge in these irresistible balls that will surely become your new favorite treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 182 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients for Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for classic cookie foundation.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender cookie texture.
• Maple Syrup: Introduces deep, caramel-like sweetness with authentic woodland essence.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aroma and rounds out the dessert's flavor profile.

• Pecans: Brings nutty depth, delightful crunch, and rustic charm to the cookie.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant coating and adds delicate sweetness for finishing touch.

Equipment for Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• Medium mixing bowl: Essential for sifting dry ingredients and combining wet mixtures.
• Electric mixer or hand whisk: Perfect for creaming butter, syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding pecans into the dough and scraping bowl edges.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Sifter: Ensures flour and salt are well combined and lump-free.
• Powdered sugar bowl: For rolling warm cookies to create a sweet coating.

Steps to Make Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• Cozy Kitchen Prep

Warm up your oven to a gentle 300F and grab a baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper or give it a quick light grease.

• Flour Magic

In a mixing bowl, softly combine your flour and a pinch of salt. Sift them together to create a cloud-like texture.

• Butter Bliss

In another bowl, whip together softened butter, golden maple syrup, and vanilla until the mixture becomes smooth and dreamy.

• Pecan Treasure

Slowly fold your dry ingredients into the buttery mixture. Gently mix until everything becomes friends. Sprinkle in those delightful chopped pecans, stirring with love.

• Sweet Sculpting

Roll the dough into adorable little balls about the size of a walnut. Place them comfortably on your prepared baking sheet, giving each ball some breathing room.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Let the cookies dance and transform for 40-45 minutes until they turn a soft, golden color and feel firm to the touch.

• Sugar Embrace

Right after pulling them from the oven, let the cookies rest for a few moments. While still warm, roll them in a cloud of powdered sugar, creating a magical, sweet finish.

Helpful Hints for Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• Pecan Perfection: Toast pecans in a dry skillet before chopping to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and add depth to the cookie's taste.
• Maple Magic: Experiment with different maple syrup grades like dark or amber for a more intense maple undertone in your cookies.
• Sugar Coating Secrets: Create a flavor twist by mixing powdered sugar with ground cinnamon or finely ground lavender when rolling the warm cookies.
• Storage Savvy: Store these delicate cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture for up to a week.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.

Serving Ideas for Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange these golden-brown pecan balls on a rustic wooden board, dusted with extra powdered sugar, creating an elegant dessert display perfect for gatherings.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these delicate maple treats alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or coffee, offering a delightful sweet bite that complements warm beverages beautifully.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack the cooled pecan balls in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday hosts that showcase your baking skills.
• Dessert Accompaniment: Pair these melt-in-your-mouth balls with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, elevating the dessert experience with contrasting textures and rich flavors.

How to Store Maple Pecan Ball Bites

• Freshness First: Store Maple Pecan Delight Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their delicate texture and rich maple flavor.
• Chilled Delight: Refrigerate the cookies in a sealed container for extended freshness, keeping them crisp and preventing any potential staleness for up to 10 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual balls carefully in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 3 months, ready to enjoy whenever a sweet craving strikes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes last-minute entertaining a breeze.

Heavenly Maple Pecan Balls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Maple pecan delight balls combine rich Canadian maple syrup with toasted pecans for an irresistible sweet treat. Creamy, nutty morsels promise a delightful indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) butter, softened
• 2 cups (480 ml/16 fl oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (226 g/8 oz) finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup (120 g/4 oz) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) maple syrup
• 3 tsps (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (2.5 g/0.09 oz) salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300F (150C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for delicate maple pecan spheres.
2. Dry Mixture: Meticulously sift flour and salt together, creating a uniform dry foundation that will provide structural integrity to the delicate treats.
3. Wet Ingredients: Cream softened butter with maple syrup and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous blend that promises rich flavor complexity.
4. Dough Formation: Gently combine dry ingredients with the creamy mixture, folding with precision to prevent overmixing while maintaining a tender, cohesive dough structure.
5. Pecan Integration: Carefully incorporate finely chopped pecans throughout the dough, ensuring an even distribution that promises nutty texture in every bite.
6. Shaping and Baking: Delicately form compact spheres approximately one inch in diameter, spacing them evenly on the prepared baking sheet and allowing them to bake for 40-45 minutes until achieving a pale golden hue and firm consistency.
7. Finishing Touch: Immediately after removing from the oven, allow the maple pecan spheres to cool briefly, then lovingly coat each ball in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, creating a sweet, ethereal exterior that complements the rich, nutty interior.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined to maintain a tender, delicate texture and avoid tough, dense balls.
• Pecan Precision: Chop pecans finely and distribute evenly throughout the dough to ensure consistent nutty flavor in every bite.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll balls in powdered sugar while still warm to help the sugar adhere perfectly and create a delightful melt-in-your-mouth exterior.
• Baking Time Watch: Keep a close eye during the 40-45 minute baking period, as ovens vary; look for a pale golden color and firm texture to indicate doneness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 182
• Sugar: 3.4 g
• Sodium: 0.1 g
• Fat: 14.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15.3 g
• Fiber: 0.7 g
• Protein: 1.9 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg