Almond Joy Bars ~ These taste just like the candy bar only better. The thick bittersweet chocolate layer is insanely good and the coconut shortbread crust takes the edge off the sweetness.
You probably have all the ingredients lying around, so I would suggest making these asap. And I’m not just saying that because I want company in my gluttony. Although I would feel better if I weren’t the only one pigging out on these this weekend.
Notes: Because of the moist coconut and the crumb crust these look a bit shaggy when cut, but they are really really good! You can also use milk or semi-sweet chocolate if you want to.
Almond Joy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 stick, 8 Tbsp, unsalted butter, at room temp
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup coconut flour (you can substitute regular flour)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 14 oz, (2 bags) sweetened coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- whole almonds
- 12 oz bittersweet baking chocolate squares, roughly chopped
- 1 Tbsp shortening (Crisco)
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Line a 9x12 baking dish with foil that hangs over the edge (for easy removal and cutting) and spray with cooking spray.
- To make the crust blend the butter and sugar with the flours in a bowl using your fingers until the butter is thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is crumbly. Work it for several minutes so that there is no loose flour left.
- Press the crust onto the bottom of the pan, using the back of a measuring cup to press it firmly and evenly. Bake for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl mix together the coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Spoon the mixture over the crust and spread out gently so you don't disturb the crust too much.
- Press almonds lightly onto the surface of the coconut and bake for about 20 minutes.
- Put the chocolate and the shortening in a glass measuring cup. Heat it in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until it is just melted. Stir until smooth. Don't over heat.
- Working quickly, pour the chocolate over the coconut, spreading it out smoothly. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares.
*Recipe from [The View from Great Island|http://theviewfromgreatisland.com] All images and content are copyright protected. If you want to use this recipe, please link back to this page.
35 Comments
Judy M. Miller
July 24, 2017 at 7:13 pmThese sound wonderful! I love the fact that the top is bittersweet chocolate. A wonderful contrast to the sweet filling!
Sue
July 25, 2017 at 7:27 amI’m a dark chocolate girl all the way, and if I can use bittersweet, even better ~ hope you give these a try Judy!
Kim
May 1, 2016 at 11:57 amThese are fantastic!
I did do a GF version with almond flour in place of the all-purpose flour, and kept the coconut flour.
Next time I plan to swap half unsweetened coconut since I prefer a less-sweet cookie.
But I know my friends and family will devour these.
Sue
May 1, 2016 at 1:23 pmI think that’s a great idea Kim!
Tammy
September 16, 2014 at 9:07 amI bet if you had everything except the almonds you could
Make them into Mounds Bars. I am gonna try. Got everything
but the almonds.
Thank you!!!
Sue
September 16, 2014 at 9:31 amYou bet you could!
Alta
September 24, 2013 at 8:41 amSue I am a Almond Joy lover so I will be making these for sure. Want to ask where do you find coconut flour, the health food store?
Sue
September 24, 2013 at 9:07 amHi Alta, I get it at Whole Foods, and you can always find it online. You can make your own by getting some unsweetened flaked coconut and grinding it in your food processor.
Alta
September 25, 2013 at 1:04 amThanks Sue we don’t have a Whole Foods here but I do have a food processor and I’m sure I can find some unsweetened flaked coconut. Can’t wait to try these.
sms
June 7, 2013 at 1:25 pmWow, these are the perfect thing to make for my mother-in-law. Do you think substituting Almond Flour for the regular flour would be ok?
Sue/the view from great island
June 7, 2013 at 4:41 pmI think that might be a really delicious change! Let me know how it turns out :)
Cathy at Wives with Knives
July 2, 2012 at 12:40 amHi Sue – I finally made these bars and LOVE them. Just put up a post about how yummy they are. I have no will power when there is something like this in the kitchen.
Lizzy
July 1, 2012 at 11:50 pmMmmmmm…I go weak in the knees for coconut desserts and this one looks AMAZING!
Ciao Chow Linda
April 6, 2012 at 12:35 pmOh my goodness, I’m so glad you stopped by my blog and left a comment, allowing me to find yours. wow, what a wealth of lip-smacking recipes and beautiful photos. everythimg looks so delicious, from these cookies ( candies almost) to the Japanese recipe. I’ll be back.
Lorelei
April 3, 2012 at 3:11 pmI am going to make these tomorrow! Looks delicious!
Thyme (Sarah)
April 2, 2012 at 9:02 pmYowsers! I am the only one that adores coconut and chocolate. These would be ALL mine.
grace
April 2, 2012 at 8:18 pmthese are superior to the actual candy bar in so many ways–nice find!
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen
April 2, 2012 at 12:31 pmJOY BARS! Bars that bring me joy! definite!
MyFudo™
April 2, 2012 at 4:52 amFantastic combo! This is totally iressistible…
Andrea
April 1, 2012 at 8:43 pmCould these be made Gluten free? Has anyone tried it?
Jules and Ruby
April 1, 2012 at 10:40 pmoh my!…these look too delicious. i’m afraid, very afraid to make these.
Nantucket Daffodil
April 1, 2012 at 10:03 pmYummy! Best part is, these would be gluten free for my daughter!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
April 1, 2012 at 9:23 pmI’m two squares over from you on your FG submission. Congrats!
These look so amazing…and just last week I made yellow cake bars, topped with coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and choc (and butterscotch) chips.
These bars of yours are so me!
Lori
April 1, 2012 at 1:19 pmThis look amazing! My family loves coconut. This will be perfect for Easter. Great timing for me! :)
Mary
April 1, 2012 at 3:43 pmI am THRILLED that you have a FB page now!! These bars looks insanely good too. Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Gerlinde in Dallas
April 1, 2012 at 1:49 pmThese bars look absolutely decadent. I love that thick crown of chocolate you gave them!
From Beyond My Kitchen Window
April 1, 2012 at 12:46 pmWow and wow again. The thick chocolate top looks amazing. I wish I could make these but I’m attending a wedding in April and want to fit into something that’s not a tent. Will be making these for sure after the wedding!!!!
Slow Cooking Kitchen
April 1, 2012 at 4:21 amThese look wonderful!! And I love your use of almonds =)) Thanks for sharing this!!
Katie
April 1, 2012 at 3:34 amWoah! I’m in love with Almond Joy bars, and this version sounds just fantastic. Your photographs look beautiful too.
Words Of Deliciousness
April 1, 2012 at 2:27 amThese almond joy bars look amazing. I am a big fan of the candy bar, so I am sure that I would love these.
Cathy at Wives with Knives
April 1, 2012 at 12:23 amOh boy, almond joy candy bars are my favorite in the whole world and I’m going to be obsessing on these bars until I make them. Love your photos too, Sue.
Rose
March 31, 2012 at 10:41 pmDecadent!
Stephanie
March 31, 2012 at 7:27 pmOh wow Sue, those look phenomenal! I like the idea of coconut flour. I haven’t experimented with it before. Will definitely have to check that out since I’m a coconut addict…and chocolate too, so this is making me drool!