Moose Farts are delightfully sweet, no-bake treats that combine the richness of chocolate with the tropical hint of coconut. This Canadian-inspired confection has become a beloved staple at holiday gatherings and potlucks, known for its whimsical name and irresistible taste. The combination of graham crackers, condensed milk, and chocolate creates a fudgy texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required – perfect for hot summer days or when you don’t want to use the oven
- Ready in under 90 minutes with most of that being hands-off chilling time
- Kid-friendly recipe that’s fun to make together (they’ll love the silly name!)
- Perfect make-ahead treat for gatherings, cookie exchanges, or holiday gift-giving
- Stores beautifully for days, with the flavors actually improving over time
Ingredients
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This creates the sweet, fudgy base that holds everything together. Do not substitute with evaporated milk as they are completely different products.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for best control over the final flavor. The melted butter adds richness and helps bind the ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and enhances the chocolate notes. Pure vanilla extract gives the best flavor, but artificial works in a pinch.
- Dried Coconut: Use sweetened or unsweetened depending on your preferred sweetness level. The coconut adds wonderful texture and a tropical note.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: These provide structure and that distinctive graham flavor. You can make your own by pulsing whole crackers in a food processor or purchase pre-made crumbs.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips work best, but you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter treat or dark chocolate for a more intense flavor.
Variations
Nutty Moose Farts
Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the mixture for extra crunch and flavor. The nuts complement the sweetness of the condensed milk and chocolate beautifully.
Festive Moose Farts
Roll the finished balls in colored sprinkles instead of graham crumbs for holiday celebrations. Red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or pastel colors for Easter make these treats seasonally appropriate.
Mocha Moose Farts
Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder or coffee granules to the mixture for a sophisticated coffee-chocolate flavor combination. This gives the treats a delightful mocha undertone that coffee lovers will appreciate.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Combine the melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir until you have a smooth, uniform mixture. The condensed milk makes this base delightfully sweet and creamy, providing the perfect foundation for the other ingredients.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
Add the graham cracker crumbs, dried coconut, and chocolate chips to the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until everything is well incorporated. The mixture will be thick and somewhat sticky at this point, which is exactly what you want for proper binding.
Step 3: Chill the Mixture
Refrigerate the mixture for at least one hour to firm up. This chilling time is crucial as it allows the ingredients to meld together and makes the mixture easier to handle when forming the balls. If you’re short on time, you can place it in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes instead.
Step 4: Form the Balls
Once chilled, scoop portions of the mixture and roll into 1¼-inch balls. Keep them small, as these treats are quite rich and sweet. Working with slightly cold hands will make this process easier and prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers.
Step 5: Roll in Graham Crumbs
Roll each ball in additional graham cracker crumbs until completely coated. This adds a nice finishing touch and makes them less sticky to handle. You can use a shallow dish or plate to hold the crumbs for easier rolling.
Step 6: Final Chilling
Place the coated balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until firm. This final chilling step ensures the Moose Farts hold their shape and develop the perfect texture before serving.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Keep your hands slightly cold when rolling the balls to prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers
- Use a small cookie scoop or melon baller for uniformly sized treats
- If the mixture seems too sticky after chilling, add a few more graham cracker crumbs to achieve the right consistency
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use high-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
- Allow the melted butter to cool slightly before combining with other ingredients to prevent the chocolate chips from melting
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking
How to Serve
Moose Farts are perfect for serving at room temperature on a decorative platter at parties, holiday gatherings, or cookie exchanges. For an elegant presentation, place each treat in mini cupcake liners and arrange on a tiered serving tray. They pair wonderfully with coffee, milk, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. Consider serving them alongside other no-bake treats for a dessert table that won’t require oven time.
Make Ahead
These no-bake treats are perfect for making ahead of time, as their flavor actually improves after a day or two. You can make them up to one week in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. For longer storage, they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. You can also prepare the mixture ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days before forming into balls.
FAQs
Why are they called Moose Farts?
The whimsical name “Moose Farts” is part of Canadian humor and likely comes from their small, round appearance. Despite the silly name, these treats are seriously delicious and have become a beloved part of Canadian sweet traditions.
Can I make these Moose Farts gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or another gluten-free cookie crumb like gluten-free digestive biscuits or crisp rice cereal. Just ensure all other ingredients, particularly the vanilla extract, are certified gluten-free.
How long do Moose Farts last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Moose Farts will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. The texture might actually improve after a day or two as the flavors meld together.
Can I use shredded coconut instead of dried coconut?
Yes, shredded coconut works perfectly in this recipe. You can use either sweetened or unsweetened depending on your preference for sweetness. If using larger coconut flakes, you might want to chop them smaller for a better texture in the final product.
Conclusion
Moose Farts may have an amusing name, but they’re seriously delicious treats that deserve a place in your no-bake recipe collection. With their perfect balance of chocolate, coconut, and graham flavors, these sweet morsels are sure to become a requested favorite at gatherings. The simplicity of preparation combined with their irresistible taste makes them ideal for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Whether you’re making them for a holiday treat, a potluck contribution, or just a sweet indulgence at home, these Moose Farts will bring smiles to everyone who tries them – once they get past the name!
Print
Moose Farts
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 36 balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Irresistibly sweet no-bake treats combining condensed milk, coconut, and chocolate chips rolled into bite-sized balls – perfect for holiday platters or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (300ml/14oz)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups dried coconut
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, plus extra for rolling
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine Wet Ingredients – In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the melted butter, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, consistent texture. Make sure to blend well to create the rich base for your treats.
- Add Dry Ingredients – Gradually stir in the graham cracker crumbs, dried coconut, and chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The texture should be thick and somewhat sticky.
- Chill the Mixture – Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This chilling time is crucial as it allows the mixture to firm up and become easier to handle when forming the balls.
- Form the Balls – Once chilled, remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the mixture and roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Work quickly to prevent the mixture from warming too much. Remember to keep them small as they are quite rich.
- Coat with Graham Crumbs – Roll each ball in additional graham cracker crumbs until completely coated. This outer layer adds texture and prevents the balls from being too sticky when handled.
- Final Chilling – Place the finished balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. This final chilling step ensures the treats hold their shape.
Notes
- Store Moose Farts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen for up to three months. Allow frozen treats to thaw in the refrigerator before serving. For variety, you can substitute the graham cracker crumbs with chocolate cookie crumbs or add chopped nuts for extra texture. These treats are particularly popular during Christmas and holiday seasons in Canada.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (No-bake)
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 56mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 6mg