Home ยป Easy Chocolate Coconut Truffles

Easy Chocolate Coconut Truffles

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend. I receive a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase using my link.

These easy chocolate coconut truffles are a super simple no-bake treat, made with basic pantry and fridge ingredients. Kid-friendly, but with an adults-only rum-laced variation!

Chocolate coconut truffles

These delicious chocolate coconut truffles are a family staple in our house, and I’ve been making them since I was a kid.

Also known as chocolate coconut balls, the original recipe for these was in a children’s microwave cookbook that I was given when I was still in primary school. The book has sadly disappeared at some point over the years, but thankfully, this recipe was already immortalised on a well-worn, chocolate-stained page in my recipe collection book.

I have tweaked the recipe quite a bit since then, including a grown-up variation with the addition of rum to make a classic rum ball or rum truffle. But they’re still super quick and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and everyone seems to love them.

Both versions use the same simple recipe base, which has a texture that’s kind of a cross between a cake-pop and a no-bake slice, with a bit of crunch from the crushed cookies.

Ingredients

These are what I would call pantry-staple ingredients in our house, although if you’re not as baking crazy as I am, that may not be the case. But hopefully, you’ll be able to find them all easily enough.

Chocolate coconut truffle ingredients - crushed cookies, icing sugar, butter, cocoa, coconut, vanilla and sprinkles

Crushed cookies/biscuits: This recipe originally called for digestive biscuits, but you can pretty much use any biscuits or cookies you like in this recipe. I used gluten-free cookies that have a slight coconut flavour, but any kind of cookie with a complementary flavour will work well. To make these gluten free, use gluten free cookies.

Icing sugar – Also known as powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar.

Coconut: Desiccated coconut is finely shredded, unsweetened dried coconut. I’m not sure how much of a “thing” this is in other countries, but if you can’t find it then use the finest shredded coconut you can find, or just pop some regular unsweetened shredded coconut in a food processor or blender and blitz for a few seconds. 

Cocoa: You can use either regular unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Use the best quality cocoa that you can afford, it’s worth it for that rich chocolate flavour.

Vanilla: I like to use my homemade vanilla extract in this, but you can use your favourite vanilla extract or you can also use some vanilla paste instead. You could also make infinite variations on this recipe using different extracts (peppermint truffles, anyone?)

For grown up rum truffles, use your favourite dark or golden rum (I wouldn’t use white rum here).

Chocolate sprinkles – This is optional, you can just roll the truffles in coconut, but I like to do some with coconut and some with chocolate sprinkles.

When it comes to the sprinkles, I have started buying these Dutch chocolate sprinkles (known as hagelslag or chocoladehagel) because I was going through the smaller containers rather quickly.

Alternatively, you can pretty much use any sprinkles you like! I sometimes do red and green sprinkles when I make these during the Christmas holiday season.

A hand holding a truffle that has had a bite taken out of it.

How to Make chocolate coconut truffles

I mean they’re really easy, so there isn’t much to talk about, but I wanted to add some process pictures here so you can see how the mixture is supposed to look.

Start by crushing the cookies/biscuits – you can do this in a food processor, or pop them into a sealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. They don’t have to be completely crushed to a powder, some small pieces of biscuit are fine.

The crushed biscuits, cocoa powder, coconut and powdered sugar in a large glass bowl on a yellow background.

Add all of the dry ingredients to a large bowl.

The dry ingredients all mixed together.

Mix them together until they’re well combined.

The butter, poured into the dry ingredients.

Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract.

The coconut truffle mixture.

And mix it all together. make sure you scrape down the side of the bowl to get everything combined well.

I’ve added a couple of troubleshooting tips in the recipe card below in case the mixture is too soft or too dry, but really all you need to do is make sure you can easily roll it into balls.

If it’s too dry, add a little more melted butter or a splash of water (or more rum, if you’re making rum balls).

If the mixture is too soft you can add more crushed cookies, or pop it in the fridge for a bit to firm up.

Then all you need to do is roll the balls in more coconut, chocolate sprinkles, or both. Place them onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow them to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

A tray of truffles, with a small cookie scoop, and small bowls of coconut and chocolate sprinkles, on a yellow background.

As far as the sizing of the truffles goes, you can make them as big or small as you like. I have this small cookie scoop with a 1-tablespoon capacity which, to me, makes the perfect-sized truffles.

To get a similar size without a scoop, just use a level tablespoonful or a heaped teaspoonful, or you can even use a melon baller.

A hand holding up a 1 tablespoon capacity cookie scoop, with a yellow background.

Storing the Truffles

These truffles keep really well in the fridge… if, of course, you can manage not to eat them all in one go. Store them in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid.

You can also freeze them in an airtight container if you want them to last even longer.

Chocolate coconut truffles on a light blue baking tray, with small bowls of chocolate sprinkles and desiccated coconut.

Variations

The great thing about this recipe is that it’s the perfect base recipe for different variations.

  • These are amazing with peppermint extract instead of vanilla, to make coconut peppermint truffles.
  • You can use pretty much any other flavouring extract, oil or essence in this recipe.
  • Add chocolate chips – dark, milk white or flavoured chips would all be great additions.
  • For boozy chocolate truffles, you can add any of your favourite liqueurs. I make these sometimes with Frangelico or Amaretto, and they’re both delicious.
  • Use toasted coconut if you really want to amp up that coconut flavour.

I once also used these homemade chocolate truffles to fill a chocolate box cake for my nephew’s birthday, because he loves the truffles so much. He was farrrr more interested in the truffles than the cake and shoved one in his mouth as soon as the candles were blown out!

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Truffles

Instead of rolling the truffles in coconut or sprinkles, you can add a chocolate coating instead. I prefer dark or milk chocolate, but white chocolate will also work (you may just see a bit of the darker filling peeking through.

Gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler (a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water) then use a toothpick or fork to dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, letting the excess chocolate drip off back into the bowl. Place them onto a baking paper lined cookie sheet and leave to set.

More No-Bake Recipes

Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats
Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
Caramilk Slice
Gluten Free Lemon Slice

Chocolate coconut truffles stacked in a white milk glass bowl.

Easy Chocolate Coconut Truffles

Easy chocolate and coconut truffles that can be made in under an hour. A simple and fun recipe for kids to make, with an adults-only rum truffle option too!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Cuisine: American, British
Category: Chocolate
Makes: 44 truffles

Ingredients

  • 250 g salted butter
  • 250 g vanilla or chocolate cookies
  • 100 g desiccated or fine shredded coconut (1 cup)
  • 250 g icing sugar (2 cups)
  • 60 g cocoa powder (½ cup)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • OR
  • 2 or more! teaspoons rum, for adults only balls
  • Extra coconut and/or chocolate sprinkles for rolling*

Instructions

  • Chop the butter into pieces, place in a microwave-safe jug and microwave in 30-second bursts until just melted. Set aside to cool.
  • Crush the cookies. You can do this by placing them in a resealable plastic bag and bashing with a rolling pin, or alternatively place them in a large bowl and crush with the end of a rolling pin. I like to have them mostly crushed, but leaving some larger pieces is quite nice for a bit of crunch.
  • In a large bowl, place the crushed cookies and the coconut, then sift in the icing sugar and cocoa. Stir to combine.
  • Add the cooled melted butter and vanilla or rum. Stir to combine well. If the mixture looks too dry to roll into balls, then add a little more melted butter (or you can also add a splash of water). If it's too wet/soft, you can either add a few more crushed cookies or a little more icing sugar, or alternatively place the bowl into the fridge for 10-15 minutes until it firms up. I usually put mine in the fridge and then use the time to tidy the bench and get ready for rolling the balls.
  • Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
  • Place the extra coconut and/or chocolate sprinkles into small bowls. Roll heaped teaspoonsful of the truffle mixture into balls, then roll in the coconut or sprinkles and place on the tray.
  • Chill the balls until firm (around 20-30 minutes).
  • Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge. The balls will keep well for a couple of weeks. They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Notes

If you prefer, you can make these balls using a food processor. Place all the dry ingredients into the processor, then add the melted butter and vanilla or rum, and process until the biscuits are crushed and the mixture comes together.
I often make super rum-my truffles at Christmas, by adding probably 2-3 Tablespoons of dark or golden rum, and adding a few more crushed cookies to keep the mixture stiff enough to roll.
* I like to roll half of the balls in coconut and half in chocolate sprinkles. It takes about 25g of coconut and 100g of sprinkles.

Nutrition

Serving: 2truffles | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g

Nutritional Disclaimer: Any nutritional information provided is a computer generated estimate and is intended as a guide only.

Enjoyed this recipe?Tag @sweetness.and.bite on Instagram, and hashtag #sweetnessandbite so we can see it! ❤
A chocolate coconut truffle with a bite taken out of it, on a bale blue background with a bowl of truffles in the distance.

If you (or your kids!) make these easy chocolate coconut truffles, please show us! You can post on my Facebook page or tag me on Facebook @sweetnessandbite or tag me on Instagram @sweetness.and.bite 💜

Enjoy!

xx Natalie

You May Also Like…

Easy Three Ingredient White Chocolate Mousse ~ by Sweetness & Bite
Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Christmas Pudding is a fun and easy twist on a traditional festive treat.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating