Centerpiece Topiary Recipe: Snowflake Coconut Truffles Topiary White or Chocolate

A Topiary constructed of homemade Coconut Truffles is not only a heavenly site; It is Heaven on Earth and quite the crowd pleaser. Mine was a complete hit at the 2009 Master Gardener Christmas Dinner. It is still talked about today.

Visit my hub titled: Topiary: Make for Any Occasion to made the Topiary Foundation for this recipe.

RECIPE: (makes about 30 truffles)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon coconut extract

2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 (1-pound) packiage vanilla-flavored candy coating

Garnish: Coconut, white cake sparkles for winter display

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, and coconut extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add coconut, beating until well combined. Cover, chill for 1 hour. Roll cream cheese mixture into 1 - inch balls, I like to use the melon baller tool. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours to overnight.

Following package instructions, melt candy coating. Using 2 forks, dip truffles in candy coating to cover. Place on parchment paper. Garnish tops of the truffles with coconut and cake sparkles, if so desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

You need to prepare your Snowflake Coconut Truffles one day in advance before assembling the topiary. These delightful bites of heaven are made from only a handful of ingredients that can satisfy the sweetest tooth.

ASSEMBLING THE TRUFFLES ONTO THE TOPIARY FOUNDATION

If desired apply icing to the styrofoam ball and push it onto the nail evenly. With toothpicks, attach each Coconut Truffles to the styrofoam ball starting from the bottom working your way around in a circle as you move upwardly in one direction. If toothpicks are no long enough, you will need wooden skewers to ensure the truffles remain on the form. If you have many more guests or wish to send some home with guests make extra batches that will be displayed on a side dish or tied in netting with ribbon. They will remember your epicurean finesse and hospitality with every heavenly bite.

You may want to dress it up more to compliment the occasion with seasonal greenery from your garden like baby holly or boxwood leaves placed in between the truffles. I also used large blueberries placed around the truffles with toothpicks in mine.

DECORATING THE BASE

After all the food is securely mounted, it is time to decorate the base. Stiff cut lacy material is nice to wrap the bottom and tie it up with a beautiful ribbon. I use additional greenery around the bottom for display. If you are not going to serve immediately, the topiary needs to stay cool. If you have a long way travel....you might want to assemble it at the serving location. You will need 1 hour to fully assemble and decorate your topiary. Congratulations, you are finished with your Snowflake Coconut Truffles Topiary and ready for presentation.

Forget the old school belief that coconut is bad for you because of the increased cholesterol. New studies prove that is not true. Actually coconut has extreme nutritive qualities full of vitamins and minerals that your body easily absorbs. Coconut has natural enzymes that allow for easy digestion. Coconut oil is a lot easier to use in cooking and smoothies than fresh chunks or flakes; however, there is more fiber in the fresh chunks. Learn more about coconut in the following video.