Bourbon Balls for Mama Jill

So, if you live in Kentucky, it is a MUST that you have tasted Bourbon Balls! What better way to taste then to make them yourself? You can put them on top of a cheesecake as my mom requested for her birthday. Or... my husband requests a giant Bourbon Ball to be his birthday cake in February... We have some obsessed ppl here. Good reason. They are delicious!

2Bit wanted to get these absolutely perfect since it is for a Birthday! So in my research, some major distinctions were discovered from quite the snobby, bourbon ball purists. 2Bit found that some Kentuckians are quite particular about Kentucky Bourbon Balls being made ONLY one certain way. Well, some things 2Bit loves to be pure about, but not about FAT. The "one and only way " to make Kentucky Bourbon Balls happens to add pure fat to 2Bit's booty. So, I decided to try both the common recipes and see if there was any remarkable difference between the renowned, traditional recipe and the less fattening one. (But I halved both recipes)They are both featured on the cheesecake. For the record, our handsome guinea pig, Aj, actually liked the less fattening one.

Less Fattening and JUST as Delish: 1 c. chopped pecans 2 c. crushed Vanilla wafers  1 c. powdered sugar 2 tbsp cocoa powder( 2Bit omitted from this recipe) 1/2 c. bourbon  2 tbsp. alaga syrup (or corn syrup) 18 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (Adapted from http://southernfood.about.com/od/bourbonballs/r/bl81212f.htm) -Mix the powdered sugar, ground wafers, chopped nuts.  Add the alaga syrup and bourbon. Mix well. Add more bourbon if necessary...(always necessary).. jk  OR  Kentucky Bourbon Ball recipe: 1 cup chopped nuts 5 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar 18 oz semisweet chocolate (adapted from http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/kentucky-bourbon-balls/Detail.aspx)

-Mix the butter and sugar and chopped nuts. The recipe suggests soaking the chopped nuts in bourbon overnight before adding them to the mix. 2Bit did not, however.

Mix well and if need be, add more bourbon. If you add too much, just add more powdered sugar.

Perfect consistency. Put the bowl in the fridge so it will firm up.

-Once the inside has cooled enough to mold without disintegrating, form in 3/4" balls and you can refrigerate for a couple more hours so they are REALLY firm for dipping. 2Bit is too impatient to wait for a second refrigerating. But they were still plenty cold to dip. 

-Melt the chocolate chips however you want, whether it's in the microwave or in the double boiler on the stove. Regardless of what recipe you choose for the inside of the bourbon ball, the outsides is pretty standard. Stab the balls with a small knife and dip in the chocolate. 

-Once you have dipped the bourbon balls in the chocolate, use the fork slot to pull it off of the knife, onto the wax paper.

-Set each ball on wax paper and before it has cooled, gently press the pecan on top.

-In the white bowl is the less fattening version. :) It's brown b/c of the vanilla wafers and more nuts.

Valentine's Day Ideas

First and foremost, "Valentine's Day is not just to show, 'I love you", but rather, 'I love us..our relationship'..." 

How cheesy Hallmark is! BUT, it's true. Use Valentine's Day to celebrate your loving relationship. It's all about the LOVE, not the candy. But candy don't hurt. Do not stress about Valentine's Day. As women, 2Bit admits that a creative, sentimental attempt is plenty and perfect. It doesn't have to be pricey, just romantic.

I think both sexes will agree that ANYTHING homemade & sentimental is appreciated, such as:

~Picture album

~Scrapbook

~A poem

       ~Paint him/her a picture on a canvas(Hobby Lobby/Michaels for supplies)

                                     ~A framed picture (decorate the frame even)

~A song

                             ~Coupon Book (back rub, homemade dinner, dinner & movie, rented movie of his/her choice, night of dancing, day at the park, picnic, whatever he or she is into-you get the picture)

~Homemade Valentine card

~Breakfast in bed

~A favorite photo put on a canvas

~Homemade dinner/Candlelit dinner: need ideas? email 2bit for some din din options

~Take out by candlelight for those who don't cook

~ Go out to eat and have dessert either already done at home or ready to go in the oven...

{http://strawberrysue.com/2010/11/winter-strawberries-and-cream/}

~Have fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate or make your own homemade whipping cream for strawberries and creme! 

Heart Brownie Sundae

2Bit's Rum Cake adapted from easy recipe...

Lava Cakes adapted from this recipe or do a flourless recipe

or

2Bit Bourbon Balls

~Set the mood with wine, lots of candles, or flower petals or a valentine's poster OR hire a clown, whatever you WANT...be creative!

{Real Simple Magazine}

If there's any holiday that you can get away with simply making a gift, it's Valentine's Day, BUT for those who don't wanna make anything- TOTE fine...

For Him:

Favorite sport's jersey

Underwear

Cigars

cologne

A nice watch

Fav beer

Fav candy

Fav movie

A his&her hobby to do together: tennis rackets, tickets to a game or concert, gym membership...

For Her:

Undies (be careful with this one... not if you have just met... actually, only if you're married :)

Makeup or Sephora gift card

Fav romantic movie
Perfume you picked out and would love to smell on her
Fav wine

a journal..or try target

stationary

Engraved jewelry(doesn't have to be pricey, just special)

Any jewelry- bracelets, !!!!  necklaces !!!!, earrings..no seriously, any of those, etc...

{You could even refer to 2Bit's Christmas Gifts Post for more ideas}

But remember, Valentine's Day is different for everyone... If your honey is fine with just a card and a kiss from you, then don't go overboard... Be responsible, all you Lovers!!!

A couple more sweet ideas...

{dogeared heart necklace}

{Urban measuring spoons}

{Heart-shaped frying pan}