Martha Washington Candy: Discover the Sweetest Homemade Treat
Martha Washington Candy is a rich, old-fashioned sweet made with coconut, cherries, pecans, and a smooth chocolate coating. This classic treat combines creamy, chewy, crunchy, and chocolatey textures into one bite-sized indulgence, perfect for holidays or gifting.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 40-50 pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Baked & Dipped
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 lbs powdered sugar
- 14 oz sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 2 cups pecans, chopped
- 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix softened butter, vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, chopped maraschino cherries, and chopped pecans until fully combined and thick like dough.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form small balls with the dough and place on the prepared baking sheet, spaced apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool completely on the tray.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and shortening together. Stir until smooth.
- Dip each cooled candy ball in the melted chocolate, coating completely, then return to the parchment paper.
- Allow the chocolate to set. Refrigerate for faster results. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to make mixing easier.
- Do not overmix the filling to keep the texture light.
- Use gloves or lightly grease hands for shaping the mixture into balls.
- You can freeze uncoated balls and dip in chocolate later.
- Store candies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg