Description
Craving a candy bar, unsure about all the sugar and added ingredients? These Homemade Almond Joy Bars are just as delicious as the classic treat, and they're made without dairy or refined sugar! It's just coconut, almonds, and delicious dark chocolate.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 6 whole raw almonds
- 3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- In a mini food processor, combine the coconut, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Pulse a couple times until well combined. Scrape down the sides with a mini spatula if needed. Do not over process as you do want to have some texture to the mixture. See notes if you do not have a food processor.
- Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the mixture into 6 mounds. Place each scoop of coconut onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or cutting board (any small flat surface that can fit in your refrigerator). Use your hands to shape the coconut into small bars (rectangles that are about 2-inches long and 1-inch wide.
- Place one almond into the center, top of each mound of coconut. Press slightly so it is nestled partially into the coconut. If you are nut-free you can omit the almond and just make Mounds (coconut + chocolate coating).
- Place the baking sheet/cutting board in the freezer and allow the candies to harden for at least one hour.
- Just before pulling them out of the freezer, melt your chocolate completely in a small bowl.
- Remove the coconut/almond center from the freezer and use two forks to carefully dunk each candy into the melted chocolate to cover it completely on all sides. Place each candy back on the parchment paper and place them back in the freezer for 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
- Enjoy straight from the freezer (you can allow them to thaw at room temperature before enjoying for a gooier center). Or, store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two weeks (with parchment paper between each bar). The more they sit out at room temperature the softer the center will be.
Notes
If you do not have a food processor you can combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl. The consistency is slightly better when you process them together but the recipe still works when you stir them by hand.
If you are nut-free you can omit the almonds and make these into Mound bars
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Candy/Dessert
- Method: Food Processor and Freezer