Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the desiccated coconut and condensed milk. Add vanilla extract if using. Using a cookie scoop for minimal mess, dish out the dough onto the parchment paper. Each ball of dough should be about a heaped tablespoon amount.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 14-18 minutes. Take out of the oven and let it cool completely before moving them onto a wire rack. Drizzle with melted chocolate if using.