Few things scream holiday indulgence like a sweet, bite-sized truffle that marries big flavors with a pleasing texture. These Snowy Coconut Almond Truffles are just the perfect festive treat-creamy, crunchy, and full of tropical sweetness in each coconut-filled bite. This is one of those simple recipes that take a few humble ingredients and, with very little effort, turn them into a rich dessert that’s sure to have people begging for more on Christmas.
A Personal Holiday Tradition
With every holiday season, I get this urge to make special treats that are pretty easy to make. Growing up, the house would always smell of the warmth of holiday baking, but my very favorite thing was making the treats feel just a little more decadent, like truffles. There’s just something so magic about these little snowball-like confections.
They remind me of mornings of snow outside, hot cocoa by the fire, and the odd sweet bite when no one was looking.
Another great Christmas table addition:
These Snowy Coconut Almond Truffles are our tradition. Really, there’s just something about the crunch of toasted almonds against the soft sweetness of coconut filling that just immediately puts me in a festive gathering and cozy winter evening. That soft sweet contrast, both flavor and texture-wise, and they never get missed if they are at a Christmas party.
Ingredients That Shine
But what works so magically for this recipe is the sheer simplicity. Sweetened condensed milk carries richness, while desiccated coconut lends a tropical flair-toasted almonds a nutty crunch, and white chocolate, the essence that holds all of it together. These all mix and mingle to make up a treat that’s surely indulgent without going overboard, as one needs when at the center of storming Christmas preparations.
Why Toasting the Almonds Matters
That little step of toasting the almonds makes a lot of difference; it really brings out in them a deep, nutty flavor that’s much enhanced by the creamy coconut mixture. Toasted almonds against the sweetness in the filling create great textural balance in every bite.
Prep Time: 50 Minutes for Pure Joy
A No-Bake, yes. But while it seems like making truffles really ought to be an all-day affair, this recipe requires only 50 minutes of actual prep-most of it is spent in the fridge, getting cold enough for rolling. It makes it an excellent make-ahead recipe-perfect for those busy holiday days where you wish to serve something homemade but can’t afford to spend all day in the kitchen.
Serving Information
- Yields: 20-25 truffles
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling time)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 120 calories per truffle
Bonus Tips
- Toasting the Almonds: Don’t skip this step! Toasting the almonds brings out their natural oils and makes them extra crunchy, adding a delicious contrast to the creamy filling.
- Make Ahead: These truffles can be made up to a week in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh and delicious.
- For Extra Creaminess: If you want an extra smooth filling, you can blend the coconut mixture slightly in a food processor before chilling, making the truffles even creamier.
- Customizable Nut Center: If almonds aren’t your favorite, feel free to substitute them with hazelnuts, cashews, or even a small piece of dark chocolate for a surprise center.
Why Coconut is Healthy and Important in Your Diet
It’s a superfood added to any diet because of its health values. Rich in healthy fats, particularly MCTs, these are super easy to absorb in the body and offer a super quick source of energy. Basically, MCTs are known to enhance metabolism, manage weight for people, and provide a sustained source of energy sans wide-angled blood sugar spikes.
It is also rich in various important minerals: manganese, copper, and iron. All these contribute to keeping bone health regulated, producing red blood cells, and antioxidant defense. The dietary fiber in coconut maintains the digestive tract with the right gut flora and helps promote bowel regularity. Some of the different varieties of antioxidants, phenolics, are said to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, hence decreasing risk in a number of chronic diseases. It tastes very good in oil, milk, or even shredded, adding great health value and aiding many diets with flavor and enhancements in health due to constituent properties.
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect for Gifting: Wrap these truffles in a decorative tin or place them in individual candy wrappers for a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: These truffles look gorgeous on a festive dessert table, especially alongside other seasonal treats like chocolate bark or gingerbread cookies.
- Add a Festive Touch: For an extra-special touch, roll the truffles in a mixture of white and colored coconut flakes or drizzle with white chocolate for a snowy design.
How to Store Coconut Almond Truffles
The best way to store Coconut Almond Truffles is placing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Place the truffles in a single layer so as to avoid sticking. If more than one layer is needed, separate with wax paper. Chilling not only keeps the ingredient freshness, but it helps the truffles retain their firm, firm, bite-sized texture.
These truffles can last up to a week in the fridge, making them a convenient make-ahead treat for the holidays. If you’d like to store them for a longer period, place the truffles in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to a month.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours. This seals in freshness, creaminess, and flavor, just like they were made yesterday, and that makes these coconut treats a perfect no-fuss dessert for any holiday.
The Oven Is Calling!
I hope you enjoy making these Snowy Coconut Almond Truffles as much as I do! They are, really, the perfect things to make during the holiday season: ridiculously easy yet impressive, with that retro twist we all just adore. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!
Easy Coconut Almond Truffles Recipe
Course: Christmas Dessert Recipes, Cookies20-25
servings50
minutes120
kcalIngredients
- For the Truffle Filling:
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups desiccated coconut (plus extra for rolling)
½ cup white chocolate chips, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
20-25 whole almonds, toasted
- For the Coating:
1 ½ cups desiccated coconut
½ cup white chocolate chips, melted (for sealing)
Steps
- Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- Toast the Almonds: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast them for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant. Allow them to cool completely.
- Make the Coconut Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, melted white chocolate chips, desiccated coconut, and vanilla extract. Stir well until the mixture becomes thick and sticky.
- Chill: Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Step 2: Shape the Truffles
- Form the Balls: Once the mixture is firm, take a small amount (about a tablespoon) and flatten it slightly in your palm.
- Insert the Almond: Place a toasted almond in the center and gently wrap the coconut mixture around it, forming a smooth ball.
- Coat the Balls: Roll each ball in the extra desiccated coconut, making sure it is fully covered for that snowy effect.
- Step 3: Seal with White Chocolate
- Melt the White Chocolate: In a microwave or double boiler, melt the white chocolate chips until smooth.
- Finish the Truffles: Dip the bottom of each truffle lightly into the melted chocolate to help it seal and set on the serving plate.
- Step 4: Chill and Serve
- Chill: Place the finished truffles on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate them for at least 1 hour to set completely.
- Serve: Remove from the fridge and enjoy! These truffles are best served chilled, straight from the refrigerator.
