Martha Washington Candy has a pecan and coconut center covered in chocolate. This old-fashioned favorite is perfect for holiday gift giving.

Martha Washington Candy

Along with Buckeye Balls, these candies are what I look most forward to making each holiday season and they get gobbled up quickly.

I don’t know the exact history behind Martha Washington Candy. There was a chain of Martha Washington candy stores started back in the 1890s and I think they are connected. Anyone have any knowledge?

Martha Washington Candy on a baking sheet. Some haven't been dipped in chocolate yet.

 

This candy has been a popular addition to southern candy and cookie trays for generations. Also called “Coconut Bonbons”, these homemade candies are divine. The center is so rich, buttery, and full of coconut flavor with crunchy pieces of pecan. If you are a fan of coconut, you will love these little bites of heaven!

Candy on a baking sheet.

How To Make Martha Washington Candy:

  1. Mix together the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, shredded coconut, powdered sugar, and pecans in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight so that the mixture gets firm enough to shape into balls.
  2. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  3. Melt the chocolate and shortening.
  4. Dip the balls in the chocolate.

Old-fashioned Martha Washington Candy with coconut and pecans on a plate.

 

Try These Other Easy Candy Recipes:

Martha Washington Candy

4.75 from 8 votes
Prep: 12 hours
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 12 hours
Servings: 24
Martha Washington Candy has a pecan and coconut center covered in chocolate. This old-fashioned favorite is perfect for holiday gift giving.
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Ingredients

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, coconut, powdered sugar, and pecans. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Shape into 1-inch balls and place an a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Place the chocolate and shortening in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
  • Take about 10 balls out of the refrigerator at a time. One at a time dip them into the chocolate, lifting them out with a fork so the excess chocolate can drip down. Place them on wax paper. Let them sit until the chocolate has set.

Notes

Chocolate Almond Bark can be used instead of the chocolate chips and shortening.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Source: Deep South Dish

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32 Comments

  1. reanaz says:

    wonderful
    easy
    my kids even ‘helped’ me

  2. Linda says:

    My mixture is too thin to shape into balls. Help!!!

  3. Jerri says:

    I made them for Christmas gifts this yearโ€ฆyummmm

  4. Kristy says:

    Do not put shortening in chocolate chips to melt. That will ensure your chocolate never sets. And please, please, donโ€™t eat paraffin wax. Go on Amazon and get something called โ€œparamount crystals.โ€ Itโ€™s palm kernel oil that comes in flakes. Add a couple tablespoons of paramount crystals to your chocolate chips as you melt them at lowest power in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Slowly-melted chocolate wonโ€™t seize. Stir THOROUGHLY as you go, adding additional crystals a few at a time until you get the thickness you want. Stir chocolate after every dipping session. Palm kernel oil will help the chocolate melt smoothly, and will set up firmly. Happy dipping!

    1. Lisa A Schneider says:

      I use a couple Tbsp of coconut oil.

      1. B. J. Mcwaters says:

        Does yours set..?

  5. Kathy Barger says:

    My family has made these for generations. My suggestions are – if using cherries blot them before dicing. Sometimes additional powered sugar is needed. Also refrigerate dough before rolling. Instead of using a fork to dip use toothpick. I place the balls with the toothpicks in them into freezer before dipping.

    1. Pansy Deyton says:

      Can u send me that recipe, I canโ€™t fine the one I seen on FB
      Thank you

    2. Linda says:

      Can you freeze extra mixture for later