Coconut Ice Halloween Eyeballs

Step by step

1. 1

   Make the Coconut Ice Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted icing sugar and desiccated coconut. Pour in the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture thoroughly using a wooden spoon, then switch to using clean hands to knead everything together until it forms a stiff, cohesive, and slightly sticky dough. (If the mixture feels a bit too wet to hold its shape, roll in an extra tablespoon of desiccated coconut).

2. 2

   Shape the Eyeballs: Line a baking tray or large plate with baking parchment paper. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the coconut ice mixture (roughly 30g each). Roll the portions firmly between your palms to create smooth, round eyeball-sized spheres. Place the balls onto the prepared baking tray. Gently flatten the top of each sphere slightly so your candy iris will rest securely on top.

3. 3

   Construct the Irises and Pupils: Place a gummy ring or round jelly sweet flat onto the flattened top of each coconut sphere to form the iris. Press down gently so it adheres to the coconut dough. Dip the flat base of a dark chocolate chip (or small round black sweet) into a tiny dab of melted chocolate or condensed milk, then press it securely into the centre of the gummy ring to create the pupil.

4. 4

   Paint the Bloodshot Veins: Dip the tip of a fine-line paintbrush or toothpick into the red gel food colouring or red writing icing. Carefully draw thin, squiggly red lines starting from the base of the coconut sphere working upwards towards the iris to resemble eerie, bloodshot veins.

5. 5

   Chill and Rest: Transfer the tray to the refrigerator and let the eyeballs chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until they firm up completely. Once set, arrange your creepy coconut eyeballs on your Halloween platter and serve cold!