Retro recipes don’t get any better than this! This candy has rich history to match its flavor with creamy coconut and pecan filling.
This old fashioned candy has been around for ages, but not quite as far back as its namesake. It’s something your grandma might have made. It originated in Pennsylvania, but it has come to be a southern favorite – mostly because we’ll eat anything if it has a can of sweetened condensed milk in it.
Like most handed down things, this recipe can vary slightly according to its origin within a family (or community), but most all of them have sweetened condensed milk, coconut, and pecans. The version I like most has chopped maraschino cherries folded into the filling.
The filling is rolled into balls and chilled, then enrobed in chocolate. When the candy comes to room temperature, the centers become soft and gooey. These little morsels are small but potent!
This recipe makes quite a lot of candy, and the first pieces you dip may look a little imperfect until you get a little practice. (Taste-test those first ones, and you’ll eat the evidence!) The more perfect pieces can be placed in mini cupcake wrappers, bagged in cellophane, and tied with gift tags for lovely holiday gifts!
Yields about 5 dozen candies
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter, (227 grams) melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
14 oz. package (396 grams) sweetened shredded coconut
14 oz. can (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
3 cups (327 grams) chopped pecans
10 oz. jar (283 grams) maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
2 lb. chocolate candy coating (such as chocolate almond bark)
Optional: 4 oz. white chocolate, melted
Line at least two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Stir together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, coconut, sweetened condensed milk and pecans in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Fold in chopped cherries, and refrigerate mixture for at least two hours or overnight.
Using a small cookie scoop (4 teaspoon capacity), portion mixture and roll into balls between your palms. Place onto prepared baking sheets. Chill balls until firm, about 20 minutes.
Once candies are firm, break apart chocolate coating and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30 second increments, stirring well between heating, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Dip and roll balls in melted chocolate with forks, and shake off excess. Place back on baking sheets and allow to set until firm.
