Chocolate Coconut Cream Balls
Nov 07, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
My chocolate coconut cream balls are a simple, delicious no bake dessert. A creamy, coconut center surrounded by a rich chocolate shell, this sweet treat is a great hand held dessert. These are sure to become a family favorite!
Every Christmas our family friend, Ms. Betty, would bring us a little tin of her homemade chocolate coconut cream balls. We always looked forward to them and would try to make them last, but they were always gone in a day.
Now I have carried on her tradition and make these every holiday season to share with our neighbors and friends. They are so simple to make but taste like something you would find in a fancy candy shop. The creamy coconut filling paired with the smooth chocolate shell is just so good.
The hardest thing about making these treats is waiting for them to chill in the refrigerator. It’s hard to believe they can be made with just four ingredients. Perfect for snacking and gifting, they are a must try.
Want more holiday treats, be sure to try this pecan pie bark, Christmas reindeer crack, and butter toffee pretzels.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- No bake dessert. This is a simple no bake dessert that can be prepared with just a few ingredients.
- Rich and creamy. A delicious coconut center surrounded by a chocolate shell.
- Can be customized. You can add your own twist but using dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate.
- Great for gifting. These coconut balls are great to add to a holiday cookie tray, or put in tins for a sweet gift.
Ingredients
You won’t believe how easy it is to make these chocolate covered coconut balls. All you need are 4 ingredients.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Shredded coconut is the star of this recipe. I like using the Baker’s Sweetened Angel Flake Coconut but you can use your favorite brand.
- Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar adds sweetness to the coconut balls.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This helps to bind the ingredients together. It also helps to give the inside of the balls the creamy texture.
- Chocolate: I like using the Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers. You can substitute with chocolate almond bark.
How to make chocolate coconut cream balls
Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
Step one: Place the coconut, powdered sugar, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl.
Step two: Stir the mixture until completely combined.
Step three: Form the mixture into small balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for an hour or until the balls are stiff.
Step four: Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Use a fork to dip the balls in chocolate. Place them on a wax lined baking sheet.
Step five: Refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened. Serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Heather’s recipe tips
- Chill the coconut balls before dipping in chocolate. I like to put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes before dipping in chocolate. This will help them stay together and hold their shape.
- Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray. This helps prevent the coconut mixture from sticking to your hands when forming the mixture into balls.
- Give the coconut balls time to set. I like to put them in the refrigerator until the chocolate completely hardens.
Variations
Make these chocolate coconut cream balls your own with a few changes. Here are some suggestions.
- Swap the chocolate. You can change the chocolate shell to to white chocolate, dark chocolate, or colorful chocolate melts.
- Add an almond. Make this Almond Joy version by pressing an almond on the top of each ball before covering in chocolate.
- Make them minty. Mix in a little peppermint extract in with the coconut mixture.
- Top with sprinkles. Add colorful sprinkles after dipping in chocolate.
- Toasted coconut. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut.
Storage instructions
Store: I like to keep these in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag. They will last about a week in the refrigerator.
Freeze: These coconut cream balls can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months. Store in a freezer safe container or bag.
FAQ’s
Yes, you can. The coconut balls will be less sweet if you use unsweetened coconut.
Yes, you can use melted chocolate chips to coat the balls. I recommend stirring in a tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil to help smooth out the chocolate.
Yes, you can use parchment paper but I find that the wax paper works a little better.
More easy sweet treats
Let me know if you try this coconut balls in the comments below.
Chocolate Coconut Cream Balls
Ingredients
- 1 (14 ounce) bag sweetened shredded coconut I like the Bakers Angel Flake
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (10 ounce) chocolate melts I use the Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers. You can also use chocolate almond bark.
Instructions
- Place the coconut, powdered sugar, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl.
- Stir the ingredients together until completely combined.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray and form the mixture into small balls.
- Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. Put in the refrigerator for at least an hour or until the balls are stiff. (If you are in a hurry, you can place them in the freezer to set faster.)
- Put the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or cup. Microwave in 30 second intervals until the chocolate melts.
- Use a fork to dip the balls in the melted chocolate. Place on another baking sheet lined with wax paper.
- Once all of the balls have been covered with chocolate, place them back in the refrigerator until the chocolate has set.
- Serve or keep in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Notes
- Chill the coconut balls before dipping in chocolate. I like to put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes before dipping in chocolate. This will help them stay together and hold their shape.
- Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray. This helps prevent the coconut mixture from sticking to your hands when forming the mixture into balls.
- Give the coconut balls time to set. I like to put them in the refrigerator until the chocolate completely hardens.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
