Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t!
I’ve been thinking lately about store-bought candy. I often crave it, and then it’s never as good as I thought it was going to be. Thus, I’ve decided that I’m going to try to make any candies that I would normally buy (except Starbursts…because frankly, those are always satisfying). My first attempt is Mounds bars. I haven’t been wanting Mounds per-se, but I have been wanting coconut and chocolate because those are the flavors of Spring to me (Starbucks, if you can hear me, I want my mocha coconut frappuccino back!).
Chocolate-Covered Coconut Balls
2 and 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1 tbs corn syrup
2 tbs cold butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
~Use a sharp knife to shave butter into very thin slices. In a large bowl, beat together coconut, powdered sugar, corn syrup, butter and vanilla with a hand mixer.
~Place a sheet of parchment paper on a sheet tray. Use hands to press together coconut mixture and form 20 small balls [press firmly]. Place in fridge for approximately 10 minutes to firm up.
~Meanwhile, temper the chocolate [either in a double-boiler or in the microwave, heat 2/3 of the chocolate until it is melted; stir in the rest of the chocolate off the heat until room temperature and glossy]
~Use forks (or spoons, whatever works for you) to dip and cover each coconut ball with chocolate, then place on a wire rack (spray rack with cooking spray and place wax paper underneath to catch dripping chocolate) to set. Let them set and…Enjoy!
