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April 25, 2012

Homemade Sno Balls

Do you remember eating those Hostess Sno Balls when you were a kid?  I do!

I got a new cookbook the other day and I love it.  The first recipe I wanted to try out of it was for "Pinkies" which is a homemade, WAY BETTER, version of a Sno Ball.  Then, I saw Cheryl make them on a recent Paula Deen episode.  So, it was meant to be. I made them that night.

I'm pretty sure I followed the cake recipe exactly, but something happened while they were baking.  The cupcakes had been in the oven for about 15 minutes, so I went over there and turned on the oven light so I could take a peek.   

OMG?  

What happened?

I think a chocolate volcano just erupted in my oven.

You should have seen it.  I wished I would had taken a picture to show you guys.  So, I pulled them out and had to clean my oven.  Of course, I had to sneak a taste of what chocolate cake was remaining in the pan.  It was DELICIOUS.  The cake was so flavorful, but there was no way I could use what was left for my dessert.  Since I already had my coconut colored and my filling made, I went with a good old trusty Devil's Food Cake Mix and I added freshly brewed coffee instead of the water, to replicate the flavor of the scratch ones. 

So, if you dare try the from scratch version, the flavor will be delicious.  I would recommend filling the cupcake liners WAY LESS than suggested.

If you want the easier route, the cake mix tasted super good too!

I think these Homemade Sno Balls turned out SO GOOD!  They are light and not too sweet.  They will take you back to your childhood, so give them a try.   
 Homemade Sno Balls
18 chocolate cupcakes, either from scratch or a box mix

Whipped Coconut Buttercream
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. whole milk
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tsp. coconut extract
1 Lb. (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 c. powdered sugar

Combine the flour, 1/2 cup of the milk, the vanilla and the coconut extract in a small saucepan and whisk until blended.  Set the pan over medium heat and gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, whisking constantly.  Cook the mixture, whisking until it comes to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk until the mixture begins to thicken and starts to "burp", 2-3 minutes.  Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to keep it lump free.  If you do get some lumps, press the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer), whip the butter until soft and creamy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Gradually add the cooled milk mixture, then increase the speed to medium-high and whip until the frosting is light and fluffy, like whipped cream, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of bowl occasionally.  Yield: about 6 cups

How to Tint Coconut
from: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
1 Tbl. water
liquid food coloring (I used 3 drops of red)
4 c. sweetened flaked coconut

Add the water and food coloring to a large mason jar (if you don't have a big enough jar, you will want to do this in two batches).  Swirl around until the water and food coloring are combined.  Add the coconut, top with the lid, and shake until all the coconut is evenly coated and colored.  Spread out over a paper towel and allow to dry.  This will take several hours.  I would recommend making it the night before.  

To assemble the cupcakes:  Use a paring knife and scoop out a hole in the middle of each cupcake, about 1 inch deep.  Fill each hole with frosting.  Turn the cupcake upside down and frost top and sides of cupcake with frosting.  Press the colored coconut into the top and sides of each cupcake (or roll the cupcake in the coconut).  Place in a cupcake liner and serve.  

Jenn's Notes:  These are really really good!  The frosting is not too sweet at all, so if I was using it for another dessert, that wouldn't be coated in sweetened coconut, I would probably add a little extra sugar.  Also, I added an extra teaspoon of vanilla and I couldn't taste the coconut flavor in my finished frosting and I would add a little more next time.  



34 comments:

  1. I love the sno-balls and these look great!! I'm visitng from Mom on Timeout... Thanks for sharing!!

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  2. OH yum!! I will try these for sure. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Barb

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  3. So yummy!! I need to make these snow balls. Your pics are awesome! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. These look so wonderful!! I love Sno Balls and they are my fav treat - far above hostess cupcakes and ho-ho's. Can't wait to make them. I've got to pin it!

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  5. Oh yum, these look so good. Sorry about the mess of the first one, but hopefully it was all worth it in the end :)

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  6. I adore sno- balls!! I'll have to try these out and definitely use the cake mix like you ended up doing. Cleaning the oven isn't fun, but at least you had a yummy reward afterwards.

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    1. I know, I hate cleaning the oven!! I hope you do give these a try, because they were very yummy! - Jenn

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  7. Sorry you had the explosion in your oven but your *recovery* recipe looks good and the snowballs themselves look wonderful.

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  8. Jenn, I am so glad you posted this recipe. My Dad loves snowballs so much that I pick them up for him to have as a special treat. I will have to make your version. I had the same explosion in my oven the other day when I filled a tube cake pan too full. Not a good thing to clean up as you know. Have a great weekend!-------- Shannon

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    1. - Oh no, you too!! Yeah, it was kinda funny trying to clean it up while it was still hot, before it hardened. I had long oven mitts on, so I wouldn't burn my arms! Anyway, let me know if you end up making these! - Jenn

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  9. these sound yummy but then again they do have chocolate in them

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  10. They look so pretty and so yummy!

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  11. No Joke??? Who would have guessed you could make these dandy beauties? Yours are gorgeous...though sorry about the mess they made! Thanks so much for linking up at Weekend Potluck. Please come again soon.

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  12. Wonder why the original batter exploded? Weird! But I am all for using cake mixes. They taste great, sometimes even better than home-made! This whole recipes is pretty AND yummy looking!

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  13. Yum Yum Yum!I just found your sita via Foodie Friday! I love your recipes:-)

    I'm going to start a monthly party at my blog and would love you to join. Check out my blogg from 1st of May for more info. And also maybe become a new happy follower?! :-)

    www.meandmysweets.blogspot.com

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  14. I haven't had a Sno-Ball in forever! :) Yum-o! I would love for you to share this with my "Unveil Your Genius" link party.
    http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/04/unveil-your-genius-link-party-8.html

    Happy Sunday!

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  15. I love Sno-Balls! My mom used to buy them all the time when I was a kid! I'd love it if you'd share these at Sweet & Simple Sunday at Cups by Kim! Hope to see you there!
    http://www.cupsbykim.blogspot.com/2012/04/sweet-simple-sunday-7.html

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  16. Homemade Sno-balls! The pink coconut is so cute!

    Thanks for sharing at Beautify It Monday! We hope you'll be back again next week!

    -Four Sisters

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  17. Your sno balls look delicious!! Thanks for coming to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We hope you'll be back soon! -The Sisters

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  18. Thanks for linking up this great recipe @CountryMommaCooks Link and Greet Party......hope to see you again tonight:)

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  19. You've been featured on my blog! http://acraftycook.blogspot.com/2012/06/1-month-of-fun-june-link-party.html

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  20. I am so gonna make these next week. Except that i am gonna use my own chocolate cake recipe. i have a really good one that i use for all my chocolate cupcake cravings. thanks for sharing this recipe.

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    1. I am so excited for you to try them! Let me know what you think. - Jenn

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  21. They look yummy! Do you have a "pin it" pinterest button that I am missing?

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  22. I always add brewed coffee instead of water to my chocolate cake mixes. and the other ones I use milk. I will do the frosting thing looks good.

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    1. I might have to start doing that too!! Thanks for the tips. -Jenn

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  23. Jenn,
    This recipe sounds great! I can't wait to try it. I had a similar explosion in my oven with brownies! I found that the mixture was too warm when I put it in the oven and it caused a chemical reaction. Perhaps the milk mixture was too warm? Anyhow, best wishes on the next try!
    Oh, P.S. I'm visiting from whatsfordinnerbecki.com and sharing this little gem with all my friends!

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    1. These were yummy and I think you will like them! - Jenn

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  24. Oh my gosh! These are so cute. I've got to try these. Maybe I'll try to make them for my husband for Valentine's Day. :)

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  25. I have not had a sno ball since I made it a goal to only eat homemade treats instead of the processed stuff in stores. I am so looking forward to trying these!!

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