There's something irresistibly delightful about these chewy, nutty bites dipped in glossy chocolate—let me introduce you to my favorite sweet snack: the Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe. Trust me, they're a game changer that bring the classic pecan pie flavors into a fun, bite-sized form.

The image shows a white plate with eight round chocolate-covered treats, each topped with red, green, and white small round sprinkles. One treat at the front is cut open, revealing a crumbly, light brown inside with visible small nut pieces. The chocolate coating looks smooth and shiny with some slight texture. The background is a white marbled surface with blurred festive decorations in silver and red, and some sprinkles scattered on the surface near the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a joy to make because it combines the rich, buttery crunch of pecans with sweet maple and caramel-like notes, all wrapped up in a luscious coat of chocolate. Over time, I've found these pecan pie balls bring smiles to every gathering and are surprisingly easy to whip up.

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The blend of almond and rum extracts with maple syrup gives these balls a warm, cozy flavor that echoes traditional pecan pie.
Chewy Yet Crunchy Texture: Thanks to the finely chopped pecans and graham cracker crumbs, every bite is satisfyingly textured without being too hard.
Chocolate Coating Adds Elegance: Dipping the balls in melted chocolate not only enhances flavor but also makes them look fancy enough for holiday parties.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these in advance and keep them chilled, perfect for busy days or unexpected guests.

A white plate holds seven round chocolate-covered balls, each topped with small chocolate sprinkles. Six balls are whole while one is cut in half showing a light brown, crumbly inside with fine nut and cookie bits. Around the plate on white marbled surface are some pecans, chocolate sprinkles, and a jar filled with pecans on the left and a small white bowl filled with chocolate sprinkles on the right. The chocolate coating on the balls is smooth and shiny. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays its part beautifully, creating a harmony of taste and texture. Also, choosing quality staples—like real maple syrup and good melting chocolate—makes a noticeable difference, so shop with care!

Flat lay of finely chopped pecans, a small white ceramic bowl of golden graham cracker crumbs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with rich brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding amber maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with light golden karo syrup, a small white ceramic bowl containing melted salted butter, two small white ceramic bowls each with clear almond extract and rum extract, a simple mound of smooth dark chocolate melting discs, and a small white ceramic bowl of colorful holiday themed sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pecans: Finely chopped pecans give the pie balls their iconic nutty crunch and earthy flavor.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: These add a subtle sweetness and help bind the filling together while enhancing the texture.
Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes that complement the nuts perfectly.
Maple Syrup: Real maple syrup adds complexity; don't settle for pancake syrup here.
Light Karo Syrup: Helps keep the filling chewy and moist, but you can swap it with extra maple syrup if needed.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and a savory balance.
Almond Extract + Rum Extract: These are the secret flavor boosters that give the filling depth and warmth.
Chocolate Melting Discs: These chocolates melt smoothly and harden nicely for a perfect coating—you'll want to look for discs or almond bark, rather than baking chocolate.
Holiday-Themed Sprinkles (Optional): To dress them up during festive seasons — adds color and a little crunch!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe is how easy it is to tinker with. Feel free to experiment with extracts or even the type of nuts to make it your own.

Variation: I've tried swapping rum extract for vanilla extract when I ran out—it works beautifully if you prefer a milder, sweeter profile.
Nut Alternatives: Walnuts or hazelnuts can substitute pecans nicely and give a different but equally delicious bite.
Chocolate Flavors: Dark, milk, or white chocolate melting discs can all be used to match your mood or occasion.
Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, try coconut oil with your chocolate melts instead of butter and use a suitable chocolate alternative.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Filling Like a Pro

I start by stirring together the finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, light karo syrup, melted butter, and both almond and rum extracts in a large bowl. Using a wooden spoon helps me really combine everything thoroughly without crushing the nuts too much. Covering and chilling this mixture for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you can wait!) lets the flavors meld and the filling firm up, making it easier to scoop and shape later.

Step 2: Shape the Balls with Care

Once chilled, I wet my hands with warm water to keep the mixture from sticking and use a 2-inch cookie scoop to portion the filling. Then, gently but firmly, I press the filling in my palm to compact it into tight balls. Don’t rush this step—making sure each ball is secure prevents them from falling apart when coated in chocolate. I place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and keep going until I’ve used all the filling.

Step 3: Dip, Coat, and Chill

Next, I melt the chocolate discs gently, following package directions—careful not to overheat. Using a fork, I dip each pecan ball entirely in the chocolate, rolling it around to cover every nook. Placing them carefully back onto the parchment prevents breakage. If you want to add holiday sprinkles, now’s the time before the chocolate sets! Finally, refrigerating uncovered for a couple of hours lets the chocolate harden for that perfect snap.

Top Tip

From my time making the Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe, a few small tricks have made the process smoother and the results even better. You’ll thank yourself for these little insights!

Moisten Hands: Always wet your hands slightly before rolling the balls; it prevents sticking and helps shape them neatly without breaking.
Chocolate Melting Patience: Don't rush melting the chocolate in the microwave; stirring often and using short bursts keep the chocolate from seizing up.
Firm Packing: Compacting each ball tightly means it holds together much better when dipped—loose balls are prone to fall apart.
Sprinkle Timing: Add any garnishes immediately after dipping and before chilling; once hardened, toppings won’t stick well.

How to Serve Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these pecan pie balls with holiday-themed sprinkles or crushed peppermint during winter, giving them a festive look and an extra crunch. Sometimes a little sea salt sprinkle on top before the chocolate sets adds a nice contrast to all the sweetness, and my guests adore that twist.

Side Dishes

These treat-sized morsels pair beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or spiced tea. For a more substantial dessert platter, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit and cream cheese-stuffed dates—something about that balance of richness and freshness hits the spot.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the balls on a pretty tiered tray or in small paper cupcake liners for easy serving. I've even packaged them in small gift boxes topped with a bow for holiday gifts—they always impress and vanish quickly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an uncovered container in the fridge—this keeps the chocolate shell perfect and prevents moisture buildup. From my experience, they stay fresh for up to 5 days, so you can savor these little indulgences all week!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen this way, they hold up well for around a month. When thawed, they’re just as good as fresh.

Reheating

No need to heat them! I recommend enjoying the pecan pie balls cold right from the fridge or after thawing. If the chocolate feels too hard, just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before nibbling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts, hazelnuts, or even almonds are great substitutes if pecans aren’t your favorite or you want to try a different flavor profile. Just be sure to chop them finely for the best texture.

What’s the best chocolate to use for dipping?

Chocolate melting discs or almond bark are ideal because they melt smoothly and harden with a nice snap once cooled. If those aren’t available, mixing semi-sweet chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil or shortening works well too.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, chilling the filling overnight before shaping makes handling easier. Plus, these pecan pie balls keep well in the fridge for several days or can be frozen for longer storage.

What if I don’t have rum extract?

You can substitute pure vanilla extract and still get a wonderfully delicious flavor. The rum extract adds a touch of warmth and complexity, but vanilla is a perfectly fine stand-in.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Chewy Pecan Pie Balls Featuring Chocolate Recipe have become my go-to indulgence to share with friends and family—especially during the holidays when you want something sweet, but fuss-free. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) them as much as I do. Give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear at your next gathering.