Maple Balls Recipe

Quick & Gooey Maple Balls Recipe: Sweet Treats in Minutes

Sweet maple balls tantalize taste buds with their irresistible blend of rich, comforting flavors.

Craving something delightfully nostalgic and indulgent?

These delectable treats capture the essence of warm, syrupy goodness in every single bite.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients reinvent into something extraordinary, creating a dessert that feels both rustic and elegant.

Soft, pillowy textures melt on your tongue, releasing waves of deep, caramel-like maple notes that dance across your palate.

Homemade confections like these connect us to cherished memories and traditions passed down through generations.

Small batches promise maximum satisfaction, ensuring each maple ball is crafted with love and precision.

What’s in Maple Balls and How to Mix Them

Main Ingredients:

Dough Base:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy base that provides sweetness and rich texture to the maple balls.
  • Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Powdered Sugar: Essential for creating the right consistency and sweetness of the dough.
  • Maple Syrup: Provides authentic maple flavor and natural sweetness to the recipe.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the overall flavor profile.
  • Maple Extract: Intensifies the maple flavor for a more pronounced maple taste.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Coating and Garnish:
  • Chocolate Chips: Used for coating the maple balls, adding a rich chocolate layer.
  • Walnuts: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, used both in the dough and as a garnish.

Instructions for Rolling and Setting Maple Balls

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

  • Grab a spacious mixing bowl
  • Blend sweetened condensed milk
  • Add softened butter
  • Pour vanilla extract
  • Mix maple extract
  • Sprinkle maple syrup
  • Dash of salt

Combine ingredients using an electric mixer until smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 2: Create the Perfect Dough

Gradually introduce powdered sugar into the mixture, stirring consistently. Add chopped walnuts and mix thoroughly. If the dough feels sticky, place in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Spheres

Roll mixture into bite-sized rounds using clean hands. Place each ball carefully on parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in refrigerator or freezer until solid.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate chips using microwave or double boiler method. Stir gently every 30-40 seconds to ensure smooth consistency.

Step 5: Dunk and Decorate

Use a fork to dip each chilled ball into melted chocolate. Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Gently place back on parchment paper. Sprinkle remaining chopped walnuts on top for extra crunch.

Step 6: Let Treats Solidify

Allow maple balls to set at room temperature or in refrigerator until chocolate coating hardens completely.

Tips for Texture and Maple Flavor in Every Bite

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the dough for 15-30 minutes to make rolling easier and prevent sticky hands.
  • Consistent Size Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform maple balls for even coating and baking.
  • Chocolate Dipping Technique: Tap the fork gently on the bowl's edge to remove excess chocolate and create a smooth, even coating.
  • Walnut Placement Pro: Sprinkle chopped walnuts immediately after dipping while chocolate is still wet for best adhesion.
  • Storage Secret: Store maple balls in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain freshness.

How to Store and Enjoy Maple Balls Later

  • Refrigeration: Store maple balls in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep them refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing: Seal maple balls in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Thawing: Remove maple balls from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing them to soften slightly and regain their delicious creamy consistency.

Serve Maple Balls with These Sips or Snacks

  • Craft Nutty Maple Chocolate Companions: Pair these maple balls with a robust dark roast coffee to complement the sweet maple and chocolate notes, creating a luxurious taste experience that balances richness and depth.
  • Sip Creamy Maple Enhancers: A chilled glass of almond milk or a smooth bourbon whiskey perfectly matches the sweet, nutty profile of these maple balls, elevating the dessert's complex flavors.
  • Embrace Textural Contrasts: Serve alongside crisp shortbread cookies or toasted pecan biscotti to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the smooth, chocolatey maple balls, adding exciting texture to each bite.
  • Create Dessert Harmony: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of maple whipped cream can transform these maple balls into an indulgent dessert plate, intensifying the maple essence and providing a cool, creamy complement.

Flavor Upgrades for Maple Balls to Try

  • Nutty Maple Crunch: Swap walnuts for toasted pecans and add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
  • Chocolate Maple Dream: Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a richer coating and drizzle with white chocolate for contrast.
  • Coconut Maple Bliss: Roll the balls in toasted shredded coconut before dipping in chocolate for a tropical maple experience that adds texture and complexity.

Maple Balls That Are Sweet, Soft, and Easy to Make

  • Maple Magic Unleashed: Discover a delightful treat that combines the rich, sweet essence of maple with the crunch of walnuts and smooth chocolate coating.
  • Effortless Elegance: Whip up these no-bake maple balls with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen skills, making them perfect for both novice and experienced home bakers.
  • Texture Treasure Trove: Experience a heavenly combination of creamy, soft centers, crunchy walnut pieces, and a crisp chocolate shell that melts in your mouth with each delectable bite.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, gift-giving, or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up that'll impress family and friends with minimal effort.
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Maple Balls Recipe

Maple Balls Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Maple balls bring Canadian sweetness to your dessert table with silky smooth texture. Rolled in crushed pecans and glazed with pure maple syrup, these delightful treats offer a rich, nostalgic bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup (divided) chopped walnuts

Wet Ingredients:

  • 7 ounces (199 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) softened butter
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 ½ teaspoons maple extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning:

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, softened butter, vanilla extract, maple extract, maple syrup, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, blending thoroughly with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  2. Incorporate powdered sugar gradually, mixing until a consistent, malleable dough develops, ensuring the texture is neither too dry nor overly sticky.
  3. Fold in half of the chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
  4. If the dough feels tacky, chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle.
  5. Roll the chilled dough into uniform, bite-sized spheres, placing them carefully on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Return the formed balls to the refrigerator or freezer to maintain their shape and enhance their structural integrity.
  7. Melt chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave, stirring at regular intervals to ensure a smooth, glossy consistency.
  8. Carefully submerge each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, using a fork to allow excess coating to drip away.
  9. Gently place the chocolate-covered balls back onto the parchment-lined sheet, immediately sprinkling the remaining chopped walnuts on top as a decorative and flavorful garnish.
  10. Allow the maple balls to set completely at room temperature or accelerate the process by placing them in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating hardens.

Notes

  • Chill the dough in the refrigerator if it’s too sticky, making it easier to shape into smooth, uniform balls.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, well-blended dough that mixes easily and consistently.
  • Melt chocolate slowly and carefully, stirring frequently to prevent burning and achieve a silky, glossy coating.
  • Roll balls small and uniform for even cooking and an elegant, bite-sized treat that’s perfect for sharing.
  • Sprinkle chopped walnuts immediately after dipping while chocolate is still wet to ensure they stick perfectly.
  • Store finished maple balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain their fresh, creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 397
  • Sugar: 47 g
  • Sodium: 59 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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