Ruth Hanly (1891-1973) and her friend Rebecca Gooch , both in their 20s , left teaching in 1919 to start a candy business – Rebecca Ruth Candies - in Frankfort Ky.
The company , still in business , still sells the famed Bourbon Balls it created in 1938. Ruth married Douglas Booe in 1924 and left the business , but eight months after their son John Booe (1927-2012) was born Douglas died. She returned to the Frankfort business , but shortly Rebecca married and sold her share to Ruth… just as the Depression hit. Ruth’s Mint Kentucky Colonel was created and sold well , but in 1938 she created her still secret recipe for Bourbon Balls , which became a best seller. Her son took over the business which is now run by his son.
The recipe is still kept secret , but I was given this recipe years ago when we lived in Kentucky.
7 T butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1 C chopped pecans soaked for 3 days or more in 7 T bourbon; or 5 T bourbon if not soaked.
Combine ingredients and roll into balls. Dip in dark chocolate (or what you prefer) and dry on wax paper.
More Derby dishes
HERE.
©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
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