Irresistible Martha Washington Candy Recipe for Sweet Treats

Sweet tooth enthusiasts adore Martha Washington candy as a delightful confectionery treat that melts hearts.

Clusters of coconut, condensed milk, and powdered sugar create a dreamy texture.

Chocolate coating adds richness to every single bite.

Memories of holiday gatherings dance through this nostalgic dessert.

Homemade treats always spark joy and connection.

Craft these delectable morsels and watch smiles bloom around your kitchen.

You’ll become the dessert hero everyone celebrates.

Martha Washington Candy: Southern Sweetness

• Craft Delightful Treats: These Martha Washington Candies are perfect for creating memorable homemade sweets that bring joy to family and friends.
• Embrace Versatile Celebration: Ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, gift-giving, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth with a luxurious chocolate-covered delight.
• Master Easy Technique: No advanced baking skills required – anyone can create these impressive candies with simple mixing, chilling, and dipping steps.
• Customize Flavor Adventure: Easily swap ingredients like different nuts or add unique mix-ins to make the recipe uniquely yours while maintaining the classic creamy texture.

What You’ll Need for Martha Washington Candy

• Butter: A creamy and rich foundation that provides smooth texture to the candy.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla: Delivers a classic, warm flavor enhancing the overall taste.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates the right consistency and sweetness for the candy mixture.

• Coconut: Adds a tropical texture and subtle sweetness to the candy.
• Maraschino Cherries, Pecans: Provide delightful bursts of flavor and crunch to the candy.

• Chocolate Chips, Shortening: Create a smooth, glossy chocolate coating that envelops the candy balls with rich flavor.

Make Martha Washington Candy Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create Creamy Base

Grab a mixing bowl and combine softened butter, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk.

Whip these ingredients together until they transform into a smooth, luxurious mixture that looks incredibly silky and inviting.

Step 2: Add Delightful Ingredients

Gradually fold in powdered sugar, creating a thick and consistent texture.

• Shredded coconut
• Chopped maraschino cherries
• Crushed pecans

Stir everything until perfectly blended and distributed evenly.

Step 3: Shape And Chill Treats

Place the mixture into the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

This helps the candy become firm and easier to handle.

Once chilled, roll the mixture into small, bite-sized spheres using your hands.

Make them uniform in size for consistent coating.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Coating

Use a microwave-safe bowl to melt chocolate chips.

Add a touch of shortening to create a smooth, glossy chocolate that will perfectly enrobe your candy spheres.

Heat in short intervals, stirring between each to prevent burning.

Step 5: Dip And Cover Candies

Carefully dunk each chilled candy sphere into the melted chocolate.

Use a fork to help coat them completely, allowing excess chocolate to drip off.

Place the chocolate-covered candies onto parchment paper.

Step 6: Final Cooling And Serving

Transfer the chocolate-coated candies to the refrigerator.

Let them cool and set completely until the chocolate hardens.

Once firm, these decadent Martha Washington Candies are ready to be devoured and shared with loved ones.

Sweet Candy Making Pointers

• Take butter out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, easy blending without lumps.
• Add extra powdered sugar if the mixture feels too sticky, helping you shape the candies more easily.
• Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours to make rolling and dipping smoother and prevent crumbling.
• Use a fork when dipping to let excess chocolate drip off, creating a cleaner, more professional-looking candy.
• Keep Martha Washington Candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.

Flavorful Martha Washington Candy Switch-Ups

• Nutty Crunch Variation: Replace pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts for a different nutty profile and added crunch.
• Vegan Delight: Swap butter for coconut oil, use dairy-free condensed milk, and opt for dark chocolate without milk solids to create a plant-based version.
• Tropical Touch: Substitute cherries with dried pineapple or mango chunks and use white chocolate coating for a tropical-inspired treat.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly the chocolate and powdered sugar, making this candy safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Serve Candy for Old-Fashioned Treat Time

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange Martha Washington Candies on a festive tiered dessert stand with colorful doilies for elegant presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap individual candies in mini cupcake liners, then place inside clear gift boxes tied with delicate ribbons for charming homemade treats.
• Holiday Dessert Companion: Serve alongside hot cocoa or coffee as a delightful after-dinner indulgence that complements warm beverages perfectly.
• Flavor Exploration Station: Create a tasting experience by offering different chocolate coatings like dark, milk, or white chocolate to showcase variety and personal preference.

Candy Storage for Martha Washington Perfection

• Store Martha Washington Candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual candies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Remove frozen candies from the freezer and let them naturally defrost in the refrigerator for several hours before serving. Avoid room temperature thawing to prevent condensation.
• Keep candies refrigerated until moments before serving to maintain their perfect chocolate coating and prevent melting.

FAQs

• Can I substitute ingredients in Martha Washington Candy?

Yes, you can replace pecans with walnuts or almonds, use white chocolate for coating, or swap maraschino cherries with dried cranberries for different flavor profiles.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids can help roll the candy balls and enjoy dipping them in chocolate. Adult supervision is recommended during chocolate melting and handling hot surfaces.

• How long will Martha Washington Candy stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these candies typically remain delicious for 7-10 days. For best taste and texture, keep them chilled.

Martha Washington Candy Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Martha Washington candy offers a nostalgic journey through classic American confectionery, blending rich chocolate and sweet coconut for a delightful treat. Sweet memories melt together with each creamy bite, inviting you to savor a timeless dessert that celebrates homemade comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened shredded coconut
• 3 cups pecans (chopped)
• 10 ounces (283 grams) maraschino cherries (drained and chopped)

Binding and Sweetening Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Coating Ingredients:

• 6 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons shortening

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk softened butter, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
2. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, ensuring a smooth texture without lumps, then gently incorporate shredded coconut, chopped maraschino cherries, and finely crushed pecans.
3. Refrigerate the mixture for 90-120 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and firm up for easier handling.
4. Using clean hands, roll the chilled mixture into bite-sized spheres, approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing them on a clean baking sheet.
5. Prepare the chocolate coating by microwaving chocolate chips and shortening in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until completely melted and glossy.
6. Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully submerge each candy sphere into the warm chocolate, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Gently tap the fork to remove excess chocolate, then place coated candies onto a parchment-lined tray.
8. Refrigerate the chocolate-covered candies for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate sets completely and becomes firm.
9. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing flavors to develop and maintain optimal texture.

Notes

• Softening butter beforehand ensures smoother, easier blending without lumps.
• Chilling the mixture completely helps maintain shape during chocolate coating and prevents crumbling.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better incorporation and consistent texture.
• For dietary variations, swap regular chocolate with dairy-free or sugar-free alternatives to accommodate different nutritional needs.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20
• Calories: 462
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg