Martha Washington Candy

Name: Martha Washington Candy
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 5-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut; 2 cups chopped pecans, toasted; 6 cups (36 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips; 1/4 cup shortening

Passed down by my grandmother and mother, this Martha Washington candy recipe is a cherished family tradition. We've even had each grandchild and great-grandchild take a turn stirring the candy mixture! —Cindi Boger, Ardmore, Alabama

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Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
6 cups (36 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup shortening

Directions

In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until blended. Stir in coconut and pecans. Divide dough in half; refrigerate, covered, 1 hour.
Working with half the dough at a time, shape mixture into 1-in. balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate 30 minutes longer.
In top of a double boiler or a metal bowl over barely simmering water, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Return to waxed paper. Refrigerate until set.
To Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze option: Freeze candy, layered between pieces of waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw in refrigerator 2 hours before serving.

Test Kitchen Tips

For this recipe, make sure to use sweetened condensed milk. This type of milk has most of the water cooked off and added sugar. It’s generally used in candy and dessert recipes. Evaporated milk is concentrated in the same way, but doesn’t contain added sugar.

To toast pecans, spread them in a baking pan and bake at 350° until golden brown, stirring often. Generally, nuts will be toasted in 6-10 minutes. Timing will depend on how finely the nuts are chopped and the thickness of your baking pan.

Find more easy candy recipes here.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 196 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

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Reviews

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Average Rating:

2124arizona

Dec 22, 2019

Mom made these every Christmas for us. We couldn't wait for her to finish them. Soooooooo yummy!
Karen

Dec 16, 2019

I plan to make this ASAP! My grandmother used to make this with chopped cherries, never peanut butter. We loved it and looked forward to it. Soo delicious! I know it will be five stars!!!
gailama

Oct 12, 2019

Try different flavors by adding chopped cherries, add maple flavoring, pepperment or any other favorite extract. I grew up with these and still make them to this day.
Jui

Oct 11, 2019

I've never made these, only Buckeye Balls. Recipe called for paraffin wax added to chocolate. What tyoe of shortening us recommended.
number1nana580

Sep 19, 2019

This is a great recipe. It's the samerecipe I made with my daughter and granddaughter when they were little. I always doubled the recipe because I gave it as gifts to friends at Christmas time.
rftallent

Aug 31, 2019

Hello Cindi, I'm in Huntsville. Thank you so much for posting this feel-good recipe. My mother had been making these all my life. She's passed now and I had lost her recipe. Fond memories coming.
Lauri

Jun 1, 2019

My mom made these every year for Christmas. They were a family favorite. At some point in time someone told her to add a little paraffin to the chocolate coating, with the thought that it would hold up better. The candies were much better without it!
Catie

Dec 13, 2018

Have a known and loved this recipe for decades! As to the peanut butter question, George Washington Carver invented peanut butter in 1884. Martha Washington could not possibly have been using peanut butter for her candies. After years spent in Washington DC area, visiting every historical site, I learned much about the presidents and First Ladies in those earliest of United States history . Many delightful recipes can be attributed to former First Ladies, But this delightful candy is not one of them. Happy holidays everyone!
tsuop

Dec 13, 2018

I am giving this 5 stars though I haven't made it. My Mother made this every year only she cracked, cleaned
mbaker1103

Dec 13, 2018

I love this candy. When my son was in Afghanistan I mailed some to him. He shared it with his buddies and they asked for the recipe. I sent it over and over and they never tired of it. I did send copies of the recipe. Thanks for sharing. Marie