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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Chocolate Coconut Balls

    Published: Mar 10, 2022 · Modified: Apr 9, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Chocolate Coconut Balls

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    Chocolate Coconut Balls are decadent homemade chocolates you can make in the microwave in minutes with just 6 ingredients. Great recipe for your holiday treat platter that everyone will love.

    coconut balls on a white countertop

    Post revised on 4/9/22 with new ingredients, techniques, and photos.

    There’s so much to love about these little coconut chocolate balls: The sweet coconut filling coated with rich dark chocolate, they're ridiculously easy to make, and they look like you spent a lot of time fussing over them.

    They also make great gifts, so go ahead and make a double batch -- some for them, some for you!

    If you're a coconut lover, be sure to take a look at these Mocha Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons, Coconut Dream Bars, and Hello Dolly Bars.

    You’re going to love these

    • Decadent dark chocolate bon bons with sweet coconut filling
    • Fast and easy homemade candy recipe you can make in minutes with 6 simple ingredients
    • Pretty sweet treat for the holiday season, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or any time of the year
    • The perfect mini dessert — everyone will have room for one (or two!)

    Ingredients

    This decadent treat comes together with 6 simple ingredients you can find in any grocery store.

    coconut balls ingredients

    Sweetened Coconut. Sweetened coconut flakes keep these little coconut balls nice and moist and sweet — and helps hold them together.

    White chocolate chips. For best results, use a premium brand of white chocolate. I tried these with a national brand we all know and love, but it melted into a thick and pasty clump. Ghirardelli white chocolate chips melted perfectly. 

    Butter. Butter adds rich flavor and soft texture to the coconut centers.  

    Heavy whipping cream. Cream helps the white chocolate melt smoothly and makes the centers luscious and decadent.

    Dark chocolate chips. Chocolate and coconut are a match made in heaven. And since the coconut and the white chocolate are both on the sweeter side, dark chocolate keeps it from being too sweet. 

    Shortening. Melting chocolate with shortening makes it smooth and easy to work with. And when the chocolate firms, it won't melt in your hands.

    If you prefer to use coconut oil in the chocolate coating, know that the chocolate coating will get soft at room temperature, and you might get some chocolate on your fingers.

    Substitutions

    Oil instead of butter. If you’re avoiding butter, you can use coconut oil or vegetable oil in the coconut filling. 

    Milk chocolate coating. If you’re less into Mounds Bars and more into Almond Joy candy bars, coat the coconut balls in milk chocolate. And stick an almond in the middle! 

    Step-by-step Instructions

    Step 1

    Melt the white chocolate, cream, and butter together in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until the chocolate has completely melted and is smooth and creamy. 

    white chocolate, cream, and butter melted together in a clear bowl

    Step 2

    Add the coconut and stir until it is completely combined. 

    coconut mixture in a clear bowl

    Step 3

    Chill the coconut mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour or until firm enough to shape into balls. If the mixture becomes too cold and too firm, just let it sit at room temperature until it is soft enough to work with it.

    Step 4

    Using a small cookie scoop or a ½ tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls. 

    Roll the ball around in your hand to make it nice and round. 

    You should end up with about 12 coconut balls. 

    Step 5

    Place the balls on a parchment lined sheet pan or plate. The parchment keeps them from sticking. Set them in the refrigerator for about an hour or until they are firm. You can also speed up this process by placing them in the freezer.

    Step 6

    Place the dark chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl that has plenty of room to dunk the coconut candy balls.

    Melt the dark chocolate and shortening in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until the chocolate and shortening are smooth. 

    Step 7

    Drop the balls into the chocolate mixture, one, two, or three at a time. Place them on a wire rack. I like to use two spoons to do this.

    coconut balls on a wire rack and a white bowl with melted chocolate

    Step 8

    Place 2 tablespoons of white chocolate and ¼ teaspoon of shortening in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until it is completely melted and smooth. 

    Use a spoon to drizzle the white chocolate over the chocolate coconut balls. 

    Chocolate Coconut Balls drizzled with white chocolate on a wire rack

    Step 9

    Once the white chocolate has dripped off of the coconut balls, carefully transfer them back to the plate or baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. I like to use 2 forks to do this.

    Place them in the refrigerator to set.

    Store chocolate coconut balls tightly covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

    Expert Tips

    • Use premium white chocolate when making these coconut balls for a smooth, creamy coconut filling.  

    • A ½ tablespoon measuring spoon is the perfect size for creating bite-sized coconut balls. 

    • To avoid getting puddles of chocolate around the base of your chocolate coconut balls, place them on a wire rack after dipping and drizzling them in chocolate. Once the excess chocolate has dripped off, carefully transfer the balls onto waxed or parchment paper. 

    Recipe FAQs

    Why do you add shortening to melted chocolate?

    Adding shortening to melted chocolate dipping candy and other treats makes the chocolate smoother and easier to work with.

    If you melt chocolate without any shortening, the chocolate will be very thick and you may need to reheat it several times while you’re dipping your candy.

    How do you dip candy in chocolate?

    I prefer to use two spoons to drop and then gather up the coconut balls to transfer onto a wire rack.

    After the chocolate has dripped off, I then use two forks to pick up the balls and transfer them to waxed or parchment paper. This will avoid chocolate pooling around the base of the candy.

    What if I have chocolate left over? What else is good dipped in chocolate?

    Honestly, what isn’t good dipped in chocolate? Ha!

    If you have the good fortune of having some left over melted chocolate, there are tons of things you can dip into chocolate, such as:
    Potato chips
    Strawberries
    Apple slices
    Bananas — bananas are really good dipped in chocolate and then frozen! 
    Pretzels
    Cookies
    Crackers
    Nuts

    Hungry for more easy recipes?

    • Chocolate Peanut Brittle (Microwave Recipe)
    • Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Balls
    • Red Velvet Mini Cheesecake Bites
    • Strawberry Angel Food Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

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    Chocolate Coconut Balls

    Cara Lanz
    Chocolate Coconut Balls are decadent, delicious, and super easy to make with just 6 ingredients: coconut, white chocolate, butter, cream, dark chocolate, and shortening. Perfect for your holiday treat platter and gift giving.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cooling Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 184 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Coconut Balls

    • ½ cup white chocolate chips
    • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¾ cup sweetened coconut

    Dark Chocolate Coating and White Chocolate Drizzle

    • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
    • 2 teaspoons shortening
    • 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
    • ¼ teaspoon shortening

    Instructions
     

    • Melt the white chocolate, cream, and butter together in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until the white chocolate has completely melted and is smooth and creamy.
    • Stir in the coconut until the mixture is completely combined.
    • Chill the coconut mixture in the refrigerator until it is firm enough to shape into balls, at least one hour.
    • Using a ½ tablespoon or small cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into coconut balls. Roll each ball around between your hands to make them nice and round. This recipe makes about 12 coconut balls.
    • Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet. Set them in the refrigerator for about an hour or until the coconut balls are firm.
    • Place the dark chocolate and shortening in a bowl that has a big enough opening for dunking the coconut balls. Melt the dark chocolate and shortening in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until the chocolate and shortening are smooth.
    • Drop the balls into the chocolate, one, two, or three at a time. Place them on a wire rack.
    • Place 2 tablespoons white chocolate and ¼ teaspoon shortening in a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir. Heat in 10-second increments until it is completely melted and smooth.
    • Use a spoon to drizzle the white chocolate over the chocolate coconut balls.
    • Once the white chocolate has dripped off of the coconut balls, carefully transfer them to a plate or baking sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment paper and place them in the refrigerator to set.
      Store chocolate coconut balls tightly covered in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    • Use premium white chocolate when making these coconut balls for a smooth, creamy coconut filling.  
    • A ½ tablespoon measuring spoon is the perfect size for creating bite-sized coconut balls.  
    • To avoid getting puddles of chocolate around the base of your chocolate coconut balls, place them on a wire rack after dipping and drizzling them in chocolate. Once the excess chocolate has dripped off, carefully transfer the balls onto waxed or parchment paper.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 184kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 48mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Kenny carter says

      June 27, 2022 at 4:16 am

      How are you doing my name is, Kenny Carter,how did you get started cooking.

      Reply
      • Cara Lanz says

        June 27, 2022 at 9:34 pm

        Hi, Kenny, thanks for the question! I developed a curiosity about food as a young adult, so I started reading cookbooks. It wasn't long until I realized what I really enjoyed wasn't so much trying new recipes, but getting ideas to develop my own recipes!

        Reply

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