Easter was my favorite holiday when I was growing up. The first Spring flowers were blooming, days were longer, my Mom always made a wonderful dinner, and Lent was over. Things were pretty austere around my house during Lent and, through no choice of my own, I gave up sweets for the whole six weeks. I used to dream of the Easter basket that would be sitting on my nightstand when I woke up Easter morning, but also remember that we couldn’t touch it, let alone have a little snack, until we returned home from church. The Easter bunny, aka mom, made beautiful baskets for her girls and always had special little things in them that she knew each of her children loved.
Almond Joy has always been my favorite candy bar…although I don’t indulge very often any more…and that’s what I will choose even if I wander into See’s Candy for a treat. I have to admit I do like their Nuts & Chews too. I’m not much of a candy maker, but I saw this recipe on a blog I visit and decided to try it. I’ll do things differently next time but this first attempt turned out OK, especially with the little royal icing bunnies I found at the local baking supply store. The coconut mixture was very sticky so I added some powdered sugar to the original recipe and 1/2 teaspoon LorAnn coconut flavor to perk up the taste of the coconut. I dusted my hands with powdered sugar to help with the sticking problem and gently pressed an almond into the shaped coconut
Dipping the coconut centers into the melted chocolate was a little tricky…and messy. They didn’t want to hold their shape especially when I tried to tap off the extra chocolate. Next time I’ll put them into the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm them up…duh, why didn’t I think of that the first time?
These delicious coconut bites are very rich and I should have made them smaller. I got 10 28-gram candies out of the recipe…20-grams would produce about 14…much better. My only complaint about these cute little Easter candies is that I ate too many of them. They are so easy to make and will be a happy addition to our Easter buffet. It will be extra special this year because my daughter’s birthday falls on Easter Sunday. This is only the second time this has happened in her 40+ year lifetime. Happy Birthday, Sweetie Pie.
This recipe is adapted from one found at FAVORITE FAMILY RECIPES.
- ½ cup white corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 large marshmallows
- 2 cups sweetened coconut, lightly chopped
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon coconut flavoring
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- whole almonds
- 6 oz. dipping chocolate
- In a heavy saucepan over medium heat combine corn syrup, marshmallows and salt until marshmallows are melted. Continue to stir for an additional minute. Remove from stove and add the coconut and vanilla. Combine well. Add the powdered sugar and combine. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool in the fridge until it can be rolled into ball. If the dough is sticky dust your hands with powdered sugar when you form the little balls. I made them 26 grams and the recipe yielded 12 coconut balls. Next time I will make them a little smaller, maybe 20 grams. Firmly press an almond into the top of the coconut ball
- In the meantime melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip the coconut balls into the chocolate and gently tap off extra chocolate. Let cool on wax paper on a chilled cookie sheet.
- If you prefer Mounds candy bars use dark chocolate and omit the almond.
How cute are those! My kids would love them but the problem is, I WOULD LOVE THEM too. 🙂
Pam recently posted..Baked Caramelized Mushroom, Onion, Spinach, and Swiss Cheese Frittata
The addition of the wee bunnies is priceless.
How very very cute..
I think they turned out so well!
Monique recently posted..Lemon,Blueberry and Cream Cheese Muffins~
What beautiful candies, Cathy! I usually make the peanut butter filled ones, but I certainly would love to give these a try. You’ve decorated them so adorably!
Kitty recently posted..Quick Cinnamon Rolls
Cathy,where did you find the cute bunny decorations? I love them!
Kitty recently posted..Quick Cinnamon Rolls
I found them at a local baking supply shop. They carry everything related to baking, candy making, decorating, everything you could imagine. They have hundreds of little royal icing decorations for every possible occasion.
Cathy recently posted..Coconut Almond Bunny Bites
Oh these are so adorable! I love almond joys as well, these would be perfect for Easter.
cheri recently posted..Simple Pear and Almond Tart
I pinned these although maybe I should not have since I can’t be trusted not to nibble until they are all gone.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Berry Fool
These are adorable Cathy. I always loved the Easter bunny growing up. He brought me pajamas and treats.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Pan-Seared Scallops with Sautéed Oranges
Adorable Cathy. My Grandkids would love these. A love Almond Joys too. You are so creative. Happy Easter!
Penny recently posted..Testing Recipes from Simca’s Cuisine
I know of some relatives that would love these little almond joy bundles!
Debra recently posted..New Orleans: Lagniappe
Cathy, these almond joy chocolate covered easter eggs are made with love which makes them extra special. These eggs are stunning and I have no doubt someone(s) very special will get to enjoy them.
Happy Easter!
Velva
Velva recently posted..Garlicky Shrimp with Olive Oil
One of the perks of making something new, and blogging about it, is sharing the learning process. Brilliant idea on freezing them! I love almond joys, so no doubt I’d be filching too many of these. These are adorable.
Foodiewife recently posted..Barbecued Baby Back Ribs – 15 minutes (Pressure Cooker Style)
I need to make these. I love almond joy bars too!
Almond Joys are a favorite of mine too! Your candies sound great Cathy and the little bunnies are adorable!
Almond Joys were my all-time favorite candy bar. It is one of the few chocolate things I miss since I developed my senseless chocolate allergy. Otherwise, I would love to try this recipe.
Those are the cutest bunny decorations I have ever seen. They are perfect for these Coconut Almond Bunny Bites.
Almond Joys have always been a favorite of mine…just wish they had dark chocolate like Mounds. Your little coconut bunny bites are perfect for Easter, they are so cute!
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Cheese Steak With Broccoli Rabe, The Best Italian Sandwich
They are adorable, Cathy! I hope I have time to make some Easter treats. The garden has finally awakened and my life has been spent raking and cleaning out the beds 🙂
Susan recently posted..Spicy Shrimp (or Lobster) Remoulade on Molasses-Butter Toast
Even though you said they were difficult to shape but you managed to do it perfectly! Very lovely to look at and tasted even better I’d bet!
Delightful tasty creations aka,sweets! MMMMM,!!!! Pretty presented too!
Sophie recently posted..Raw dreamy creamy strawberry smoothies!
Oh my!!! I love Almond Joys, love them and these look even more delicious! wow! And so pretty as a special treat for Easter. Your childhood Easters sound like they are storybook…. I grew up in a Jewish home so we did not celebrate Easter which meant no Easter goodies and I was sorely jealous of my friends. I’d be so happy with a little basket of these!
Jamie recently posted..French Financiers with Blueberries or Chocolate Chips
These are darling. What great work! You are most crafty! Why does Easter candy turn me back into a little kid? http://adribarrcrocetti.com/main/2014/04/11/quaresimali-chunky-almond-biscotti-for-lent/
Your bunny bites are absolutely adorable!!! And they tasted wonderful! Great for any occasion, that’s for sure!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..{Copycat} Cadbury Creme Egg Brownies