A Sweet Story from My Kitchen
I first made these candies with my own grandma. We laughed so much that day. My apron was covered in chocolate. I still smile thinking about it.
These little treats feel like a warm hug. They are perfect for sharing with people you love. That is the best part of cooking, don’t you think?
Why These Candies Are Special
This recipe does not need an oven. It is great for young helpers. You get to use your hands to roll the balls.
Making food by hand is a wonderful thing. It connects us to old traditions. It makes a gift mean so much more.
Let’s Talk Flavors
The inside is sweet and chewy. You taste coconut and crunchy pecans. The cherry gives a little happy surprise.
Then you get that smooth chocolate outside. Doesn’t that sound amazing? It is my favorite combination.
*Fun fact*: The cherry in the middle is like a secret. I always save a cherry to eat while I cook. What is your favorite part of this candy?
A Handy Tip for You
Chilling the mix is very important. If you skip this, the balls won’t hold their shape. I learned this the hard way one busy Christmas!
Patience makes the candy better. Good things take a little time. This is a good lesson for cooking and for life.
The Joy of Dipping
Melting the chocolate is my favorite step. The whole kitchen smells wonderful. It feels like a magic trick.
Use a fork to dip each ball. Tap off the extra chocolate. This makes a nice thin shell. Do you like milk or dark chocolate more?
Time to Share the Love
I love putting these on a pretty plate. They make a wonderful gift from the heart. People always feel so special.
It shows you took time to make something just for them. That is a powerful feeling. What is your favorite food to share with friends?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup | Softened |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tablespoon | |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 14 ounces | |
| Powdered sugar | 4 cups | |
| Sweetened shredded coconut | 14 ounces | |
| Maraschino cherries | 10 ounces | Drained and chopped |
| Pecans | 3 cups | Chopped |
| Semi-sweet chocolate chips | 6 cups | |
| Shortening | 4 tablespoons |
Let’s Make Martha Washington Candy
First, let’s get our butter nice and soft. Beat it with the vanilla and condensed milk. You want it smooth and creamy. I always think it looks like sweet, yellow clouds. My grandson loves to lick this spoon. (A hard-learned tip: if your butter is too cold, it will never get creamy!). Next, slowly add all that powdered sugar. Keep mixing until it’s all combined. It will get thick and sweet. Now, the fun part! Stir in the coconut, cherries, and pecans. Doesn’t that smell amazing? This is the heart of the candy. Pop the whole bowl in the fridge for an hour or two. This helps it firm up so we can roll it. After it’s chilled, line your pans with parchment paper. Use a spoon to scoop out the mixture. Roll it into little balls with your hands. I still laugh at how sticky my fingers get. Place all the balls on the pans and chill them again. This keeps them from falling apart in the chocolate. Time for the chocolate! Melt your chips with the shortening. Do this in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time. Stir well between each turn. Be patient so it doesn’t burn. Once it’s smooth, we can dip. Using a fork, dunk each ball and tap off the extra. What’s the best tool for dipping candy? A fork or a spoon? Share below! Place each dipped candy back on the paper. They need to set until the chocolate is hard. You can speed this up in the fridge. Then, they are ready to share. Or to hide for yourself, I won’t tell. Cook Time: 35min Total Time: 2hrs 45mins Yield: 80 candies Category: Dessert, CandyMy Favorite Twists on the Classic
You can change this recipe so easily. It’s fun to make it your own. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried over the years. Nut-Free Fun: Skip the pecans. Use crunchy cereal like rice krispies instead. The kids go wild for this one. Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Add mini chocolate chips to the coconut filling. It’s like a surprise inside another surprise. Orange Zest Delight: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the filling. It makes the whole thing taste so bright and festive. Which one would you try first? Comment below!How to Serve Your Sweet Creations
These candies are perfect for a holiday tray. I put them in little paper cups. It makes them look fancy. You could also pile them high in a glass jar. Tie a ribbon around it for a wonderful gift. For a drink, a cold glass of milk is always my pick. It cuts the sweetness just right. For the grown-ups, a little sip of coffee liqueur is nice. It pairs wonderfully with the dark chocolate. Which would you choose tonight?
