Homemade Coconut Bon-bons

If you like coconut and chocolate, you’re going to love this candy! My Mother used to make this at Christmas time when I was a child and I always looked forward to helping her. That was several years ago and we didn’t have access to melting chocolate.
The Pecans are optional but I wouldn’t think of making it without them

Ingredients 
2 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2- 12 oz bags semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 sticks butter or 1 cup at room temp
2 lbs powdered sugar
1-2 tblsp shortening, coconut oil or vegetable oil

Directions:
In a large bowl blend together with a mixer the stick of butter with sweetened condensed milk. Add the entire bag of powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly. 

Add the chopped pecans and coconut to the powdered sugar mixture. Mix well with hands or large wooden spoon. Place bowl in the refridgerator for at least an hour. 

Shape into balls about 1-1/2″ or the size of walnuts. Put on a plate and place in the refridgerator for an hour to harden.

Dip in melted chocolate. 

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or place a small saucepan inside a larger one and put water in the larger pan.) 

Pick up each piece of candy with a toothpick, one at a time and dip in the melted chocolate. You may need to use another toothpick to push the candy off the first toothpick. Place on wax paper, allow to set. 

If you want to melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the candy, that adds a nice touch, but I don’t usually do this