The First Lady’s Sweet Legacy: Martha Washington Candy Recipe

Sweet memories of holiday gatherings dance through kitchens across america with this martha washington candy recipe.

Generations have savored these delectable coconut-studded confections passed down through beloved family cookbooks.

The subtle blend of creamy sweetness captures nostalgic moments of celebration and warmth.

Rich chocolate and smooth coconut create a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

These no-bake treats come together with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Chocolate lovers will adore the decadent coating that envelops each tender candy piece.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this classic confection that promises pure indulgence.

Serving Ideas For Martha Washington Candy

• Sweet Chocolate Party Platter: Create a gorgeous dessert display with these Martha Washington candies arranged on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by fresh berries and mint leaves for elegant visual contrast.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Wrap individual candies in cute cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or as homemade edible gifts that showcase your culinary skills.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Serve these rich chocolate-coated treats alongside a glass of sweet port wine or cream sherry, enhancing the nutty pecan and coconut flavors with a sophisticated adult beverage experience.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Present these delightful candies on a decorative plate alongside tea sandwiches and scones during an afternoon tea gathering, offering guests a delectable sweet bite to complement their refreshments.

How To Keep Martha Washington Candy Fresh

• Candy Cooling Corner: Chill candies completely before transferring to storage containers to prevent chocolate smudging or melting.
• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep Martha Washington Candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
• Layer-and-Protect Method: Separate candy layers with parchment paper when stacking in storage containers to prevent sticking and maintain chocolate coating integrity.
• Freezer Extension Trick: Wrap candies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to extend their shelf life up to 3 months, perfect for make-ahead treats or surprise dessert stashes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 35

Everything Needed For Martha Washington Candy

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for the candy's smooth texture, select high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and helps bind ingredients, choose full-fat version for maximum richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla extract for authentic taste.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates structure and sweetness, sift to prevent lumps and ensure smooth mixture.

• Shredded Coconut: Introduces delightful tropical texture and subtle sweetness, use unsweetened for balanced flavor.
• Chopped Pecans: Delivers nutty crunch and depth, toast lightly before adding for enhanced flavor complexity.

• Chocolate Chips: Provides smooth chocolate exterior, select high-quality dark or milk chocolate for best taste.
• Vegetable Shortening: Helps create glossy chocolate coating and ensures smooth dipping, use sparingly for optimal consistency.

Tools You’ll Want For Martha Washington Candy

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining butter, condensed milk, and creating smooth filling.
• Measuring cups: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for chilling and coating candies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Fork or candy dipper: Helps coat candies evenly in chocolate.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate smoothly.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and scraping bowls clean.

Steps To Make Martha Washington Candy Simple

• Creamy Filling Creation

Whip together soft butter and sweet milk until silky smooth. Splash in vanilla essence and gradually fold in powdered sugar, creating a rich, sticky mixture. Gently mix in coconut flakes and crunchy pecan bits for irresistible texture.

• Candy Shaping Adventure

Roll the mixture into tiny spheres using your palms. Nestle these delicate balls onto a parchment-lined tray and chill in the cold embrace of your refrigerator until firm and compact.

• Chocolate Transformation

Melt chocolate using gentle heat, stirring until glossy and smooth. This luxurious coating will transform your candies into elegant treats.

• Chocolate Immersion

Carefully submerge each chilled ball into the molten chocolate. Lift and let excess chocolate cascade back, creating a perfect, even layer. Place each coated morsel onto the parchment with delicate precision.

• Final Flourish

Allow the chocolate to set naturally at room temperature. Once hardened, transfer these decadent morsels to a sealed container. Keep cool and enjoy your homemade confectionery masterpiece.

Tips To Boost Martha Washington Candy Flavor

• Sweet Chilling Trick: Freeze the filling balls for maximum firmness before dipping, ensuring they hold their shape perfectly during chocolate coating and preventing crumbling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these candies up to two weeks in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making party prep a breeze.
• Nutty Alternatives: Swap pecans with almonds, walnuts, or macadamia nuts for different flavor profiles and textural experiences that match personal preferences.
• Dietary Friendly Tweak: Create gluten-free versions by using dairy-free chocolate chips and checking ingredient labels carefully. For vegan options, substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream and use plant-based chocolate coating.
• Decorative Finish: Sprinkle sea salt, drizzle white chocolate, or dust with toasted coconut flakes after coating to add visual appeal and extra flavor complexity to these classic candies.

Decadent Martha Washington Candy Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 35 1x

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Description

Martha Washington candy showcases a delightful blend of coconut, pecans, and chocolate from American culinary traditions. Sweet confections like these offer nostalgic connections to classic homemade desserts you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 cups (160 g) sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) chopped pecans
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 can (14 oz or 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 24 oz (680 g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• 2 tbsps vegetable shortening (optional, for a smoother coating)

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Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Whisk softened butter and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and uniform. Blend in vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
2. Dough Formation: Fold powdered sugar into the mixture, creating a dense, pliable consistency. Incorporate shredded coconut and chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
3. Shaping Process: Mold the mixture into small, uniform spheres using a tablespoon. Arrange the candy orbs on a parchment-lined tray, maintaining a neat configuration. Refrigerate or freeze for about an hour to solidify the candies’ structure.
4. Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate chips with vegetable shortening using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until achieving a smooth, glossy texture. Completely submerge each chilled candy sphere in the molten chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
5. Final Presentation: Delicately place chocolate-coated candies on the parchment-lined surface. Allow chocolate to set at room temperature or expedite by refrigerating. Once hardened, transfer the completed Martha Washington Candies to an airtight container for storage and preservation.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy texture for the candy base.
• Sugar Incorporation Technique: Add powdered sugar gradually and mix thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, consistent mixture.
• Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerate or freeze the candy balls before dipping in chocolate to help them maintain shape and prevent crumbling during coating.
• Chocolate Coating Pro Tip: Use a fork or dipping tool to smoothly coat candies, letting excess chocolate drip off for a clean, professional finish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 35
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg