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Newfoundland Snowballs Recipe: A Classic No-Bake Treat

Newfoundland Snowballs

Traditional Newfoundland chocolate-and-coconut refrigerator treats made with quick oats, cocoa, evaporated milk, butter, and sugar. These soft, chewy snowballs require no oven baking and are finished with a coating of coconut.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 30 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Base
  • 1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup Butter, salted or unsalted
  • 3 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 12-fluid-ounce can (354 mL) Evaporated milk
Flavoring and Dry Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 3 cups Quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups Unsweetened shredded coconut
For Rolling
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Additional unsweetened shredded coconut

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper. Measure the oats and coconut before beginning so they can be stirred into the hot mixture promptly.
  2. Add the sugar, butter, cocoa powder, and evaporated milk to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the mixture reaches a full boil.
  3. Once boiling, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently or constantly to prevent scorching. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Add the quick-cooking oats and 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut. Mix thoroughly until every oat and coconut strand is evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
  5. Let the mixture cool until firm enough to handle but still soft and pliable. Scoop portions and roll them into 1- to 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll in additional coconut if desired.
  6. Arrange the snowballs on the parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until firm. Store the finished treats covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

Use quick-cooking oats and fine, unsweetened coconut for the most cohesive traditional texture. The five-minute boil is important: undercooking may leave the mixture loose, while excessive boiling can make the snowballs dry or crumbly.