Name: Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 4 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ cups pecans fine chopped; ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs; ⅔ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons light karo syrup; 2 tablespoons salted butter melted; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; ¾ teaspoon rum extract; 12 ounces chocolate melting discs (Ghirardelli brand recommended); Optional garnish-Holiday themed sprinkles

There's something absolutely irresistible about combining rich pecans with smooth chocolate — that’s why the Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe has become one of my go-to treats for holidays and cozy get-togethers. These little bites capture that classic pecan pie flavor while being perfectly bite-sized and mess-free.

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 Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, making these pecan pie balls felt like capturing the essence of a pecan pie without the fuss of baking a whole pie. Every time I share them, people keep asking for the recipe—rightfully so! They’re simple to make, adorable to serve, and packed with so much buttery, nutty goodness.

Deliciously Portable: These little balls are perfect for parties or gift-giving since they’re easy to pop in your mouth and don’t leave you with sticky fingers.
No-Bake Convenience: No oven required! Just mix, chill, shape, and coat in chocolate for a quick, satisfying treat.
Customizable Flavors: You can easily swap extracts or chocolate types to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
Seasonal Favorite: They bring the comforting holiday spirit any time of year, especially when garnished with festive sprinkles.

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

The ingredient list might look simple, but each element plays a vital role in creating that perfect texture and flavor in this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe. From the nuttiness of pecans to the deep molasses notes in brown sugar and the creamy richness of butter, it's a balanced symphony of taste and texture.

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: Chopped finely, they provide the essential crunch and buttery nut flavor that defines pecan pie.
Graham cracker crumbs: These add subtle sweetness and help bind the mixture with a tender crumbly texture.
Brown sugar: Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness that elevates the pecan flavor.
Maple syrup: Offers natural sweetness and depth, making a huge difference over simple pancake syrup.
Light Karo syrup: Acts as a sticky sweetener that helps hold everything together without hardening.
Salted butter: Provides richness and moisture, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Almond extract: Adds a subtle, nutty aroma that compliments the pecans beautifully.
Rum extract: Brings warm, complex notes, making the flavor profile instantly festive.
Chocolate melting discs: Specially formulated to melt smoothly and harden with a shiny finish, ideal for coating the balls.
Holiday-themed sprinkles (optional): Adds charm and festive flair, especially for gifting or parties.

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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

I love playing around with this recipe sometimes. You can personalize the extracts to create your own signature twist or swap the chocolate discs for white or dark chocolate varieties. It’s a flexible formula that’s perfect for tweaking to suit your sweet tooth.

Variation: I once swapped rum extract for a few drops of bourbon—trust me, it adds an incredible warmth and pairs wonderfully with the pecans!
Nut Allergies: You could experiment with chopped toasted sunflower seeds for a nut-free version, though it won’t be quite the same texture.
Chocolate Alternatives: Using white chocolate discs with festive sprinkles gives the balls a snowy, holiday vibe that my friends always adore.

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

Step 1: Mix and Chill the Filling

Start by combining finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, Karo syrup, melted butter, almond extract, and rum extract in a large bowl. I always use a wooden spoon when mixing—the texture feels just right. Once everything comes together evenly, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours, or overnight if you can plan ahead. Chilling firms up the mixture, making it way easier to shape later.

Step 2: Shape the Pecan Pie Balls

Once chilled, it’s shaping time! Grab a 2-inch cookie scoop or use your hands to form tight balls from the mixture. Here’s a trick I swear by: wet your hands with warm water before shaping. It keeps the filling from sticking and helps you compact the balls tightly, so they hold up perfectly when dipped. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you go.

Step 3: Melt and Coat with Chocolate

Next, melt your chocolate discs according to the package instructions. I find using a shallow, medium bowl works best for coating. Using a fork, gently dip each pecan ball into the melted chocolate, rolling it around to cover every nook and cranny without breaking the ball. Then lift it out carefully and place it back onto the parchment-lined sheet. If you want to get festive, sprinkle on holiday-themed sprinkles right after dipping while the chocolate’s still soft.

Step 4: Let the Chocolate Set

Finally, pop the tray into the refrigerator uncovered for about two hours to allow the chocolate shell to firm up. And that’s it—you’re ready to enjoy or gift these delightful pecan treats!

Top Tip

From making these chocolate coated pecan pie balls a few times, I've learned some small tweaks that really bring your success rate to 100%. It’s all in the details, and I want you to feel confident making these treats for your next gathering.

Wet Hands Trick: Always wet your hands with warm water before shaping the pecan mixture to prevent sticking and create smooth, tight balls.
Chocolate Melting: Use chocolate melting discs or almond bark—not baking chocolate. These have added fats and sugars that ensure a shiny and smooth coating that hardens well.
Chill, Chill, Chill: The longer the filling chills, the easier it is to work with. I even chill it overnight to save time on busy days.
Sprinkles Timing: Add sprinkles right after dipping while the chocolate is still soft, so they stick perfectly without smudging the finish.

How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I personally love to add holiday-themed sprinkles or a light dusting of sea salt on some balls—it creates a fun sweet-and-salty combo that guests rave about. Sometimes, I even drizzle some white chocolate over the dark chocolate coating for a pretty finishing touch. It’s such an easy way to glam up the look and taste.

Side Dishes

These pecan pie balls shine as a standalone treat, but they’re also fantastic paired with hot coffee, spiced cider, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I’ve brought them alongside cheese boards or fruit platters, and they always complement the mix beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging them in festive cupcake liners on a pretty platter or packaging them in clear gift boxes tied with ribbons. Another crowd-pleaser is stacking them on tiered dessert stands, which looks impressive but is so easy to do.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pecan pie balls in an uncovered container in the fridge, which keeps the chocolate shell crisp while preventing sogginess inside. They stay fresh for up to five days—perfect for enjoying little treats throughout the week without sacrificing taste.

Freezing

Freezing works surprisingly well. I pop the balls on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer them to an airtight container. Just thaw them in the fridge before serving to keep that perfect texture. They’re great for making ahead of big events!

Reheating

Since these are no-bake treats, reheating isn’t really necessary, but if you prefer your chocolate a little melty, just let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can cause the chocolate to sweat or lose that glossy finish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the rum extract with something else?

Yes, if you don’t have rum extract or prefer not to use it, vanilla extract is a great substitute. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but it still provides a lovely aroma that complements the pecans.

What if I can’t find chocolate melting discs?

You can use chocolate almond bark, which is also designed for melting and coating candy. If neither are available, melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with a bit of shortening or coconut oil works well to get a smooth, glossy finish.

How long do these pecan pie balls stay fresh?

Stored uncovered in the refrigerator, the chocolate coated pecan pie balls stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. Beyond that, the texture may change and the chocolate might bloom.

Can I make these ahead for parties?

Absolutely! These are excellent make-ahead treats. Just prepare the balls, coat them in chocolate, and store in the fridge. You can make them up to several days in advance or freeze them for longer storage.

Final Thoughts

Making the Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe felt like uncovering a little gem that everyone can enjoy with minimal effort and maximum flavor. I can’t recommend it enough if you want that nostalgic pecan pie taste in an easy, shareable form. Next time you’re craving a sweet treat or need a special party snack, give this a try—you’ll love how easy and amazing these bite-sized delights turn out!