Cherry Ripe Bites

Easy and quick to make, I got this recipe from a supermarket catalogue. It makes a large number of bites, and I have halved the recipe successfully. Copha is vegetable shortening - solid vegetable oil.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 50 pieces

Ingredients

• 4  cups  desiccated coconut
• 400  g  red  glace cherries, chopped
• 2  tablespoons cherry brandy, flavoured essence
• 3  drops  red food coloring
• 395  g sweetened condensed milk
• 375  g dark chocolate
• 30  g Copha (or other light flavored oil) or 30  ml  peanut oil (or other light flavored oil)

Directions

1. Combine coconut, cherries, essence, food colouring and sweetened condensed milk, mix well.
2. Roll heaped teaspoonfuls of mixture into balls. Place on tray, refrigerate until firm.
3. Melt chocolate and copha or oil together.
4. Re-roll balls before dipping into chocolate mixture. Place on baking paper lined tray to set.
5. Re-dip in chocolate mixture if necessary or if you like a thicker chocolate layer.