Almond Joy Bars (With or Without the Almonds)

Name: Almond Joy Bars (With or Without the Almonds)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 36
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature; 3/4 c light brown sugar, packed; 2 1/2 c flour; 1/2 tsp fine sea salt; 28 oz sweetened condensed milk; 28 oz shredded coconut; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 5 c bittersweet chocolate baking chunks (loosely placed in cup)

By Opal Jackson-Cakmak
@sweetiecoconut

This recipe is so good! Use light or dark chocolate. Use a 13x9 inch pan for a thicker recipe. Use half the recipe for a smaller group. It is simply easy. (Call it Almond Joy or Mounds, either way it is good).

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Sometimes being sweet and flaky is just the ticket! These yummy bars may be sans almonds, but they're FULL of delicious flavor. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★☆ 80 votes4

Comments:

368 Comments

Serves:

Prep:

45 Min

Cook:

25 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

10 Tbsp

unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c

light brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 c

flour
1/2 tsp

fine sea salt
28 oz

sweetened condensed milk
28 oz

shredded coconut
1 tsp

vanilla extract
5 c

bittersweet chocolate baking chunks (loosely placed in cup)
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How to Make Almond Joy Bars (With or Without the Almonds)

Step-by-Step

Preheat oven to 350° F . Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and coat with canola or vegetable spray. NOTE: I use a 13x9 inch pan becasue I prefer them thicker. You can adjust the size of the pan to your preference. You can use 1/2 the recipe if you do not need as much.
In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the flour and salt. Carefully mix to combine until it resembles chunky bread crumbs. Transfer into the prepared pan and evenly press the batter into an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire baking rack while preparing the coconut topping.
In a large bowl, combine the condensed milk, coconut, and vanilla. Spread over the crust and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until it begins to brown.
Melt the chocolate over a double boiler. Stir until melted and smooth. Pour over cooked coconut bars and spread into an even layer. Allow to cool then refrigerate until hardened, about 1 hour. Cut into 36 squares.
NOTE: Use chunks not chips (70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chunks.) Bittersweet chocolate is available in several forms, including bars, chips, and chunks of various sizes. It is used in baking, cooking, and is eaten out of hand.

NOTE: You can top with Almond Joy bites, sliced almonds or leave off. Use light or dark chocolate, your preference.