Chocolate Coconut Balls

I have been wanting to do some of these chocolate covered morsels for several months , but time and the lack of same prevented the indulgence. Since Christmas is a day or two behind us, so I have set my goal for straight forward chocolates.

The is a very common candy, that a lot of families serve at this time of the year. A coconut filled chocolate ball, somewhat like Almond Joys.

1 pound confectioners sugar

1/2 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 stick butter (softened)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/16 pound paraffin wax

8 oz chocolate chip (I used milk and semi sweet)

1/2 pound coconut flakes

Place powdered sugar in mixer bowl and make a pit in the middle of the sugar, then add the condensed milk, butter, and vanilla. Blend the mix just for a 30-40 second period.

Remove the bowl and paddle, then using a wooden utensil, make sure all the sugar is blended in, the bottom will have some that doesn't mix. Work in the coconut, mixing well and then put it in the freezer to stiffen up. Then bring the mix out and using a melon ball scoop to make the balls, place them on a sheet of wax paper or plate, then freeze them ( 3-4 hours). They need to be fairly hard or cold enough that they will not fall apart.

In another Stainless bowl add the chocolate chips (if you like dark chocolate use a 60% cocoa". I like milk and semi sweet, so I mixed them and the grated wax in the bowl. I use a sauce pan with about an inch of water in the bottom and place the bowl on top of it, making a double boiler. Using a spatula I mix the melted ingredients together till it is smooth as possible, then I turn the heat down to a medium heat.

Remove the frozen balls from the freezer and with a fork (I tried skewers, but they really left a very bad appearance to the finished piece). Just drop one at a time into the melted chocolate turn to coat, then with the fork lift out the ball and slide the bottom of the fork across the rim to remove excess chocolate and place the wet ball on parchment paper. Do not play with the piece till you have done several, like to add a swirl to the top or fix a non covered area. They keep getting uglier the more you do.

Let them chill and enjoy.

I'm considering using some corn syrup in lieu of some of the powdered sugar and increase the coconut. I think they are very very sweet as they are and the coconut is not as present as I would like.