Almost Almond Joy Bars {Candy Time}

My husband decided that he wanted to attempt to make Almond Joy Bars. You see my husband loves to make candy especially around the holiday's, so I have to be on the look out for a disaster or two erupting in my kitchen. I had a pretty good recipe for what he was looking for it was called Almost Almond Joy Bars.

I have had this recipe for a long time 5 years to be exact, but just never got around to making them. You know those recipe's you have and you say um mm I gotta make that, so you put it aside and then forget about it. Well this is one of those recipes. I am so glad I kept it and didn't decide to toss it out.

If you ask me this recipe is pretty darn close to the real deal. I was really surprised when i took the first bite, I said wow they do taste like a almond joy bar. Now keep in mind that in the end I had to help my husband out a bit, he just didn't get the whole melting of the chocolate thing.


He ended up scorching an entire package of milk chocolate almond bark by cooking it in the microwave instead of using the defrost setting as I mentioned to him before he got started. The chocolate was so hot and gunky that the coconut filling practically melted when he placed them on the waxed paper. They looked like little poo piles. I asked him what are you doing??? those look awful.

I then proceeded to say presentation is everything!!!! I couldn't believe I said it. See how we Foodies think, we get all obsessed on how everything should look. I couldn't help it! I wasn't going to but I had to jump in.

I melted a new package of milk chocolate bark and I showed him how to melt and dip the bars the correct way, so we managed to salvage just about all of them. I recommend this recipe to anyone who loves Almond Joy Bars. I also think it would be cool to add an almond to the coconut mixture and roll them into balls, then dip them in chocolate. It might even be easier.


I apologize yet again for not getting a full tutorial for this post. My husband does not have the patience for me and my picture taking for my blog, so I just snapped a few pictures of part of the process.

After blending together the sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, butter and coconut together. Pat the mixture firmly into a 9 x 13x 2 inch pan. Chill in the refrigerator or freezer until firm. (about 2 hours)


Remove coconut mixture from the refrigerator/freezer and cut into 1 x 2 inch bars.



Put 2 whole almonds on top of each bar. Make sure to use roasted whole almonds. If you dont have any you will have to roast them yourself. I have included the directions in the full recipe at the end of the pot.



In a double boiler over hot, not boiling water, melt the chocolate chips or milk chocolate almond bark, stirring often. This can also be done in the microwave. (use the defrost setting on the microwave and melt the chocolate in 3 minute intervals.)

Use a fork to dip each bar into the melted chocolate mixture. Tap fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Lay bars on waxed paper after dipping until firm. You can also place them into the refrigerator as well.





Almost Almond Joy Bars

5 oz - sweetened condensed milk
1 - stick butter (1/2 cup), not margarine (softened)
1 - tsp vanilla extract
2 - cups powdered sugar
1 - 14 oz bag sweetened flaked Coconut
1 - 24 oz milk chocolate almond bark or milk chocolate chips
1 - cup whole dry roasted almonds.

Blend the sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla extract. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, stirring until smooth. Stir in the coconut, the mixture should be firm. Pat firmly into a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan. Chill in the fridge until firm. (we put ours in the freezer). While the mixture chills go ahead and dry roast the almonds. We had a bunch of almonds but they need to be roasted.

Roasted Almonds - Spread in an un greased baking pan. Place in 350ºF oven and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to roast slightly after removing from oven.
In a double boiler over hot, not boiling water, melt the chocolate chips or milk chocolate almond bark, stirring often.

This can also be done in the microwave. (use the defrost setting on the microwave and melt the chocolate in 3 minute intervals.) Remove coconut mixture from the refrigerator/freezer and cut into 1 x 2 inch bars. Put 2 whole almonds on top of each bar. Use a fork to dip each bar into the melted chocolate mixture. Tap fork gently against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Lay bars on waxed paper after dipping until firm. You can also place them into the refrigerator as well.
Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

28 comments

Heather said…
Yum! Those look good! I'm already taking inventory of my kitchen to see if I can make these, I think I'll have to go to the store for some coconut. Kudos to your hubby for giving it the old college try!
Stephanie said…
Those do look great! They look just like Almond Joy. That's one of my favorite candy bars!
tam said…
Oh help me Jesus! Those look so yummy-we love alomnd joy at our house. I showed my husband your post and he was like a kiddy little kid begging me to make this-I could use it as bribe materail-huh? HHHmmm yea that would work! LoL!
~Tam :D
Amy said…
I love almond joys!! I'm going to try these for sure!! I left you a comment on your previous post about the homemade oreo cookies.
Reeni said…
They did turn out great! And they look fun to make. You have the most delicious recipes!!
Oh my goodness those look GOOD!! I want one!
Those look so good. Almond Joy is one of my favorite candy bars.
Julie said…
Just found your blog. Everything looks so yummy and the blog looks so cozy :)
Anonymous said…
definitely.have.to.print.this.recipe. making them might take me a whle, thought probably not five years, hello, my name is jsprik and i am a chocoholic. haha have a great weekend!!
Anonymous said…
It's been a while since I've been on your site and boy have I missed alot! These look so good the kiddos will love to make while on break.I cant wait Thanks =p
Anonymous said…
These sound so tasty! Homemade almond joy bars, a great idea any time :).
Leslie said…
Wow..these look perfect!
% years is a loooong time to hold onto a recipe. But it looks well worth it!!
Susan said…
Hello,My name is Susan from Precious Memories.I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed reading all your recipes.I love to cook and enjoy finding new ones.Have a good day and God Bless.
Rachel said…
Hi! I tried the almond joys to make for my dad for his birthday (on the 23rd). They turned out pretty good! They tasted really good too! I am sure he will like them! Thanks!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Jan said…
I haven't tried that in "bar" form, but have rolled it into balls and dipped in dark chocolate. I believe the recipe for doing it this way was originally called Martha Washington Fudge, but I call it Chocolate Bon Bons.
If you want the real Mound or Almond Joy texture and taste, use dessicated coconut & karo syrup. The coconut can be purchased at a store that carries candy making supplies. I make hand dipped chocolates for Christmas giving and these are two of the favorites.
Susie Buetow said…
YUMMY! These look awesome! Thanks so much for linking up to my Holiday Recipe Exchange http://bit.ly/cOOkBook with these!!!!
Unknown said…
AWESOME!!! recipe. I love this WONDERFUL!!! idea making them look like the reaaly thing.
Geri
Lynette said…
Holy Cow! Tina, they look amazing. You did a great job on them.
Patty Sumner said…
oooooohhhh, these look yummy! I love almond joy bars so I will definitely give this one a try and maybe my husband will help out. He makes great fudge. Blessings!
Anonymous said…
Is this suppose to be 15 oz. of sweetened condensed milk or 5 oz.????
Tina Butler said…
It is 5 oz of sweetened condensed milk. You wont be using a whole can.
Taralynn said…
This recipe worked perfect for my coconut truffles! I had to add extra coconut for a different consistency to keep them together but I didn't make the bars! but ABSOLUTELY delicious great job!!!!
Christina said…
Thank you for this recipe. I made these today and although they weren't as pretty as yours, they tasted fantastic! I used dark chocolate instead of milk and they are heaven!
Softa123 said…
I was originally going to post a different version of this recipe on my blog today, but I found you while looking for an image to use. Your recipe is so much better and your website is gorgeous! I am now a subscriber and I put a link on my website with this recipe. I'm also adding your to my blog roll. When I figure out how to Stumble you, I'll do that also! Kudos for a great website!

Love,
Softa123
Anonymous said…
SAVED...lol I FOUND A ALMOND JOY RECIPE ONLY HAD CONDENCED MILK POWDER SUGAR AND COCONUT. I DID A TASTE TEST AND DID NOT LIKE THE TASTE I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THIS NEEDS BUTTER AND VANILLA AND SALT OR SOMETHING. SO I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS GREAT RECIPE. SAVED MY ALMOND JOYs! THANK YOU. TASTES SOOO MUCH BETTER. Oh I added salt to bring out the sweet.

MK
Kristen said…
Question: Do you have to spray the pan with a nonstick cooking spray before you press the coconut mixture in it? Almond Joy is my favorite candy bar in the whole world, and I can't wait to try this at Christmas time! I'm going to use dark chocolate, which I always wished Hershey's came out with the Almond Joy bar!
Tina said…
I don't think I greased the pan first. If I did I would of made a note. If you want you can grease with a light coating of baking spray. I don't think it would hurt.
Anonymous said…
is it 5 oz. sweetened condensed milk by weight?