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I stumbled upon these Chocolate Coconut Balls while hunting for a quick holiday snack and they've turned into my go-to no-bake sweet! Each bite blends creamy coconut wrapped in smooth chocolate for a truly amazing taste experience. The best part? They're incredibly easy to whip up but look like they came from an expensive candy shop.
Coconut Enthusiasts' Dream
Trust me, after making these goodies for so long, coconut fans just can't get enough of them. Inside you'll find this wonderfully soft and sweet coconut center that works amazingly with the chocolate outside layer. I always smile watching folks' reactions when they take their first bite – it's like they've found a tiny slice of heaven!
What You'll Need
- Desiccated Coconut: 1 ¾ cups (shredded works too if you like). Want it smoother? Just give regular shredded coconut a quick whirl in your blender.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 ¾ cups. This adds sweetness and helps everything stick together nicely.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: ½ cup. This gives your mixture that awesome moisture and richness.
- Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 2 cups. These will make up that yummy chocolate coating around each ball.
- Shortening: 2 tablespoons. This helps your chocolate melt super smooth for dipping.
How To Dip
- Combine Coconut and Form Balls
- Grab a big bowl and mix the powdered sugar, desiccated coconut, and sweetened condensed milk together. Stir until everything looks well combined. Roll this mixture into 1-inch balls and put them on a wax paper-lined tray. Stick them in the fridge until they're firm, around 30 minutes.
- Get Chocolate Ready
- Put your chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and melt them together. Give it a stir now and then until it's nice and smooth. This makes the perfect coating for your coconut balls.
- Coat Your Coconut Balls
- When your coconut balls feel firm, dunk each one into the melted chocolate and let any extra drip off. Put them back on the wax paper and pop them in the fridge until the chocolate gets hard.
Lighter Take on Coconut Balls
Whenever my pals want something a bit less sweet, I'm all about sharing my honey-sweetened option. Honey's natural sweetness goes so well with dark chocolate, and using coconut oil makes the coating look super glossy. It just shows you can still enjoy something decadent while making better choices!
Tasty Twists to Try
I love putting a roasted almond right in the middle – it's basically a homemade Almond Joy! Sometimes I'll throw crushed almonds directly into the coconut mix for some crunch. You can try so many different things with this recipe and it's always fun to play around with new ideas.
Keeping Your Treats Fresh
These sweet bites stay amazing in the fridge! I keep mine in my grandma's old tin with wax paper between each layer. They actually taste even better a day or two later when all the flavors have really gotten to know each other.
Ways to Make Them Your Own
What makes this recipe so great is how easy it is to change up! My little ones go crazy for white chocolate coating while my hubby loves dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt on top. During Christmas or birthdays I'll add some fun colored sprinkles or edible shimmer for a special touch.
Keeping Your Coconut Treats
If you somehow don't eat them all right away (which hardly ever happens at my place!), these treats will stay good in the fridge for about two weeks. I usually make twice as many and freeze some for when friends drop by unexpectedly. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight and they'll be good as new!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it okay to swap in fresh coconut for the dried kind?
- Fresh coconut won't work well because it's too wet and won't stick together properly. You'll need to use dried coconut flakes to get the right feel and sturdiness.
- → What's the point of adding shortening to the chocolate?
- The shortening makes the chocolate runnier so it's easier to coat the balls. It also helps make a nicer finish that hardens well and stops that white dusty look on the chocolate.
- → How long will they stay good?
- Put them in a sealed container in the fridge and they'll last about 2 weeks. Take them out and let them warm up for 10 minutes before you eat them.
- → Can I put these in the freezer?
- They freeze great for up to 3 months. Just store them in a sealed container with wax paper between the rows so they don't stick together.
- → Why aren't my balls sticking together?
- If they're falling apart, add a splash more condensed milk. If they're too sticky, mix in extra powdered sugar or coconut. You should be able to roll them into balls that hold their shape.