RECIPE :Nutty-Chocolate Bon Bons make your own candy for Trick or Treat or for gift giving at the holidays

These are tasty treats and the good thing is that you KNOW what goes in them.
Simple to make, you don't need any sugar thermometers or anything fancy.
These are hand dipped so they are supposed to look "rustic" not like the molded kind bought in stores.
These are smaller than golf balls and are meant to add a delicious bit of sweet/chocolatiness, they are not snack sized...lol

3 cups chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, toasted almonds, toasted peanuts, macadamia's, sunflower seeds,)
1 x4 ozs stick unsalted butter melted

Mix well  together in a large bowl, set aside.

In another smaller bowl mix well the following

1 pound shredded coconut (sweetened or raw)..may also be toasted
1 x 14 ozs can condensed milk (sweetened condensed milk)
 1 1/2 pounds confectioners/powdered/icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond, coconut, rum & etc.)


Add the milk mix to the pecan mix, and combine thoroughly.

using rounded teaspoonfuls, make small balls &  place on parchment or waxed paper lined cookie sheet and chill for  4 hours or 30 mins in freezer.

Melt 1 pound chocolate (milk, semi sweet, dark, even white, your choice..even a mix of 2 or 3 works) in a double boiler or basin suspended over simmering water. (any leftover melted chocolate can be re-used, though not likely with taste testers around)

Using large forks, dip the nut balls into the melted chocolate to coat and return back to the lined cookie sheets to set, or sprinkle with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, crushed nuts, & etc.

Allow to set up overnight either at room temp or in a fridge/cool place.
these are nice plated or boxed up between layers of waxed paper, or in candy cases (but these are an added expense,and not really useful)

Variations:

add:
Crushed butterscotch or English toffee to the nut mix

Rum/whisky soaked raisins also add a more adult flavor to the filling, make sure they are lightly dried and not wet from the alcohol

Fresh grated orange zest is also good added to the nut mix (filling)
To cut the expense, add some dried cake  crumbs or crushed cookie crumbs to the nut mix, to reduce the amount of nuts used up to 1/3 the amount only..no one will ever know.