Heat the condensed milk in a heavy-bottom pot or saucepan over medium heat. Simmer stirring vigorously until it thickens (like Greek yogurt), it has turned a light caramel color, and if you flip the spoon, it sticks to it.Add the dry coconut, and stir to combine. Remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature on a silicone liner (or greased tray).
2. Making coconut balls
Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, cover your hands with a bit of oil. Place a tablespoon of the mixture in the palm of your hands and form balls with it.Insert the candy sticks into the balls. Set them aside.
3. Making the hard caramel
Mix sugar, flavoring, coloring, water, and syrup in a saucepan and boil over medium heat. Insert a food thermometer at the beginning and remove the saucepan from the fire when it reaches 265 °F [130°C].
4. Covering the balls
Immediately cover the balls in the hot caramel and place them on the silicone liner to cool. If the cover is too thin you can do a second pass starting with the first lollipop.If the caramel starts to harden before you finish return to the fire until it melts again. Be careful not to go too far or it will burn.Let them cool to room temperature before eating.
5. Serving and storing
Serve right after they cool down, or store in a tight-fitting plastic tray at room temperature. You can also wrap them in food-safe plastic and decorate per instructions above the recipe