My mother has made this recipe for many years and it is excellent. I recently found the exact same recipe in a vintage Old Fitzgerald Holiday Recipe booklet. I'll have to have a chat with Mom...
BOURBON BALLS
(36-42 balls)
1 cup pecans, very finely chopped
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, divided
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
1/4 cup bourbon
For best flavor I highly recommend using the fullest flavor bourbon you have. Stagg and Rare Breed are excellent choices.
Mix well the vanilla wafer crumbs, cocoa, 1 cup of confectioner's sugar, and pecans.
Add the corn syrup and bourbon; mix well.
Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in the remaining confectioner’s sugar,
Put in a tightly covered tin box or other metal container for at least 12 hours before serving.
Note: These cookies keep well for 4 or 5 weeks.
1 Box vanilla wafer = 3 cups (12 oz.) vanilla wafer crumbs