These jam drops are the coconut macaroon kind, which means no butter, no flour and no creaming anything. You mix condensed milk with desiccated coconut, roll it into balls, press a dip in the top and fill it with whatever jam you love.
They take about 10 minutes in the oven and the mixture comes together in one bowl with a spoon. If you’ve got a tin of condensed milk and a bag of coconut in the pantry, you’re most of the way there already.
Why You’ll Love It
There are only three ingredients, they’re all pantry staples, and there’s no mixer involved, so the kids can roll the balls and fill the jam while you supervise with a cuppa. The coconut and condensed milk bake up chewy in the middle and golden on the outside, and because you choose the jam, every batch can be a bit different. They’re budget-friendly too, since a tin of condensed milk and a bag of coconut go a long way.
Handy Tips
Wet your thumb before pressing the dip into each ball so the mixture doesn’t stick to you, and don’t overfill the jam or it’ll bubble over the sides while they bake. Keep an eye on them from about the 8 minute mark, because the coconut goes from golden to dark quickly. Let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before moving them, as they firm up as they cool.
Make It Your Way
The jam is where you make these your own. Strawberry and raspberry are the classics, apricot gives you that old-school bakery flavour, and a spoon of lemon curd instead of jam works if your house leans lemony. You can also roll the balls smaller for a party plate, just watch the bake time since littler ones colour faster.
How to Store It
Keep them in an airtight container once they’re completely cool. They’re at their best in the first few days, with the outside still a little golden and crisp against the chewy middle.
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Jam Drops
Prep Time 15 minutes 
Cook Time
10 minutes 
Total Time 25 minutes 
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the desiccated coconut and condensed milk together in a bowl. It’s the start of something beautiful!
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mix and roll it into a ball. Think bite-sized bliss!
- Gently press your thumb into the center of each ball to create a cozy little nest for the jam. It’s like a hug for your future jam!
- Fill that cute indent with your chosen jam. It's like a little surprise waiting in every bite!
- Pop them in the oven at 180°C for 10 minutes, and watch them transform into golden treasures.
- And there you have it! Your very own Jam Drops, ready to dazzle at any gathering or to be enjoyed with a cup of tea.
Nutrition
Video
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FAQs
Should I use a thick or runny jam?
Thick is the safer pick. A thick jam sits in the dip and holds its shape while it bakes, where a runny one spreads across the top and sinks into the coconut mixture, so you lose the neat little well of jam that makes a jam drop look like a jam drop. Whatever jar you already have will taste good either way.
Why did my jam drops spread or lose their shape?
The mixture relies on the coconut soaking up the condensed milk, so if it feels wet and loose, stir through a little extra coconut before rolling. Overfilled jam dips will also bubble over as they bake.
Can I make jam drops ahead of time?
Yes. Bake them, cool them completely and keep them in an airtight container, and they’re ready when you need them over the next few days.
Are these the same as biscuit-style jam drops?
No. Traditional jam drops are a butter biscuit. These are the coconut macaroon kind, made with condensed milk and coconut, so they’re chewier and there’s no creaming or flour involved.
Easy and simple, love it.
Made it. Is VERY simple and the taste is devine. Will DEF be making again…..and again……………………………and again!!
That’s fantastic Julie Anne. They’re one of the favourites at my home. I’m being cheeky. Is that a 3 or a 5 star jam drop 🙂
So good! But I don’t seem to get the same consistency in the dough as you do Steph to be able to roll them?
Hi Katja, so glad you loved them. The consistency comes down to the balance between the condensed milk and coconut, and can sizes can vary a little between brands. If your mix is too wet and sticky to roll, just add more desiccated coconut a tablespoon at a time until it holds together nicely. It also helps to let the mixture sit for a few minutes, as the coconut absorbs the condensed milk and firms up, making the balls much easier to roll. Hope that does the trick. Let me know if this works.
O yum these are sooooo easy & very nice 👩🏻🍳👍
Aren’t they :). Thank you for the five stars.
These came out perfectly – it seemed too easy to be true, and I was worried because the mixture was quite crumbly, but they baked up just right. I used my 2 tbs scoop and that was fine too. My kids already said we should make more. Thanks from Canada!
Hi Emily, so glad these turned out perfectly and your kids gave the thumbs up. Thanks for the tip about your scoop size, and thanks for baking all the way from Canada 🙂
Great and gluten free too! A bonus and the taste is amazing.
Absolutely delicious! 😋
And so very easy too!
Made these tonight, trying to make more homemade snacks instead of store brought.
They smell delicious, look spectacular!! Keen to dig in!
Made tonight as I have a work meeting with attendees who are gluten free.
Had one once it cooled and it reminded me of my grand mother’s wonderful baking. Thanks for sharing a great recipe