Valentine's Gift Idea: Easy Chocolate Bonbons

From the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) When I was a kid growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago, my big sister would make Bonbons for Christmas. Back then I thought they might just be about the best thing I had ever tasted — and I still think so.

The Bonbons will make an extra-special treat for your family or, wrap them up and give them as a Valentine's gift to that special someone.

Here's the recipe:

~ Loretta’s Chocolate Bonbons ~ (from the story "Good Things Come in Small Packages")

• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut • 1 stick butter • 2 pounds powdered sugar • 1 can sweetened condensed milk • 2 cups chopped nuts • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla • 1 large package chocolate chips • 2/3 bar paraffin (Instead of chocolate chips and paraffin, the coconut balls can be dipped in melted chocolate almond bark; follow the package directions for melting the almond bark.)

Mix coconut, butter, powdered sugar, condensed milk, nuts and vanilla. Roll into small balls. Chill in refrigerator for several hours or in the freezer for one hour. Melt chocolate chips and paraffin in a double boiler (or in a clean coffee can set on canning jar rings in a pan of water). Using a toothpick, dip the chilled coconut balls into the chocolate mixture. Place on wax paper until set.

LeAnn Ralph may be contacted at http://ruralroute2.com bigpines@ruralroute2.com

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books: "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" ( August 2003), "Preserve Your Family History (A Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Oral Histories)" (e-book, April 2004), and "Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam" (Oct. 2004). You are invited to sign up for LeAnn's FREE! monthly e-mail newsletter, Rural Route 2 News & Updates. Visit — http://ruralroute2.com