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Dec 22, 2011 · Another old fashioned heritage confection, Martha Washington Candy is a rich mixture of buttery coconut and condensed milk with pecans, rolled into a tight ball and dipped in chocolate.
- Desserts, Candy, Holiday, Christmas
- American
- Ingredients For Martha Washington Candy
- Directions
- Recipe Variations
- How to Store Martha Washington Candy
- Can I Freeze Martha Washington Candy?
Confectioners’ sugar:We use confectioners’ sugar in our Martha Washington candy recipe. It’s powdery and dissolves better than granulated sugar.Sweetened condensed milk:This type of milk has most of the water cooked off, then sugar is added. It’s generally used in candy and dessert recipes. Evaporated milk is concentrated in the same way b...Shredded coconut:Be sure to grab the “sweetened” shredded coconut instead of “unsweetened.” It will make a huge difference in flavor.Toasted pecans: To toast nuts, spread them in a baking pan, and bake at 350°F until golden brown, stirring often. Generally, nuts will be toasted in 6 to 10 minutes. Immediately transfer the nuts t...Step 1: Make the dough, and chill
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until blended. Fold in the shredded coconut and toasted pecans until everything is evenly dispersed. Place half of the dough into a separate bowl. Cover bowls with storage wrap, and refrigerate for one hour.
Step 2: Shape into balls
Working with one dough half at a time, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on waxed paper-lined baking sheets, and refrigerate the balls for 30 minutes longer. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate
On top of a double boiler or a metal bowl over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate chips and shortening together until completely smooth and no lumps remain. Editor’s Tip: Not a fan of the double-boiler method? Try one of the other ways to melt chocolateinstead.
Add maraschino cherries:Many Martha Washington candy recipes include maraschino cherries for extra sweetness and brightness. If you want to add this ingredient, you really need to make sure the che...Swap out the pecans:Feel free to omit the pecans or use a different nut. Remember, the nut has to pair with coconut and chocolate, too, so go for macadamia nuts, hazelnuts or almonds. Don’t forget...Drizzle on white chocolate:Once the semisweet chocolate coating has set, melt white chocolate, add it to a piping bag or resealable bag, and cut open a very small hole. Drizzle the white chocolate...Decorate with toppings:Before the chocolate has set, sprinkle any leftover toasted pecans on top for a nice crunch, or flaky salt to slightly offset the sweetness. You can never go wrong with sprin...Store Martha Washington candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If stacking the candies, place pieces of parchment or waxed paper in between each layer. The candies can last for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Yes, you can freeze Martha Washington candies. Freeze the candy, layered between pieces of parchment or waxed paper in freezer-safe containers. Store them in the freezer for up to three months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator for two hours before serving.
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- Desserts
Nov 12, 2023 · Origins of Martha Washington Candies . Martha Washington candies take their name from the candy company that created them. They were sold in stores across the U.S. during the 1920s. When the Depression hit the country, most of those stores closed, eventually disappearing altogether by the 1940s.
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- Dessert, Candy
Dec 20, 2010 · Why is it called Martha Washington candy? Some say Martha Washington Candy got its name from the wife of the first U.S. President, George Washington. I’ve even heard people claim that Martha Washington herself made this candy around Christmas.
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- Dessert, Snack
Jan 29, 2022 · What are Martha Washington Candies? Martha Washington Candies are a delicious chocolate treats with decadent fillings that dates back to the 18th century. The recipe is said to have been first given to Martha by her mother-in-law, George Washington’s mother Martha Dandridge Custis.
Nov 30, 2013 · What I did find was that there was a chain of candy stores named "Martha Washington Candies" that was started in the 1890's. They sold ice cream and candy confections of different varieties. At their peek in the 1920's they had hundreds of stores all across the country and were doing quite well.