Coconut Bonbons

These festive, chocolate-covered coconut buttercream bonbons will become a favorite addition to your holiday candy repertoire.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup butter, softened
2 pounds (8 cups) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups (12-ounces) sweetened flaked coconut
1 (12-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)

Cooking Directions:

1. Combine milk, butter, sugar, vanilla and coconut, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Roll coconut mixture into balls and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill.
3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate with shortening in double boiler over simmering water, stirring until smooth.
4. Dip coconut balls into melted chocolate. Return to prepared baking sheet and allow to dry at room temperature.

Makes 4 dozen bonbons.

For Coconutty Bonbons: Substitute 1 cup finely chopped nuts for 1 cup of the coconut.