Almond Joy Bars

I have a relatively new found love of coconut.  I really used to dislike it.  Then I realized it was always sweetened.  Like on a lemon meringue pie that my Nana used to make, or in a coconut macaroon usually at a church potluck.  It was perpetually too sweet, and tasted like sugary fibrous shreds of blech.  (And yes, “blech” is a word.  It ends on a k sound, not ch.  Otherwise, it would be ble(t)ch, and what is that?  Nothing, that’s what.)  Then I tasted the un-bastardized, unsweetened coconut and totally fell in foodie love.

As it turns out, coconut is an excellent source of fiber.  Fiber helps you feel full, stabilizes your blood sugar, and helps you go twosies.  (And yes, “twosies” is a real word, too.  Just ask Turk and J.D.  They’re doctors.)  It adds texture and a delicate sweetness to a variety of dishes. I’ve also started eating a spoonful of dry coconut flakes when I feel nauseous or have acid reflux from eating something I shouldn’t.  It works like a charm about 70% of the time.

Coconut is also a superfood, more specifically,  coconut oil.  I try to incorporate it as much as possible into my daily food intake. I blend it into my coffee, cook with it, and take it by the spoonful to help me sleep peacefully at night.  Coconut oil is great for my brain, my liver, my metabolism, and my mood.  I’m pretty sure it’s good for yours, too.

This is one of my favorite go-to recipes for breakfast, snacks, or my overactive sweet-tooth.  I like it because it tastes like a candy bar, I’ll be honest.  But it is so stinkin’ good for me that I don’t feel even a little bit guilty. These travel well, don’t need to be refrigerated, and are delicious treat for at least a week.

Ingredients for bars:

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or erythritol (if you’re looking for a low-glycemic option)
• 2 Tbsp coconut flour (sifted)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1  tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 20 drops liquid stevia (optional)
• a handful of raw almonds

Ingredients for chocolate drizzle:

• 3 oz 90% cacao chocolate bar  (it’s super low in sugar)
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil or butter
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 15 drops liquid stevia (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions for bars:

1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, including erythritol, and mix well.
2. In a smaller bowl, combine wet ingredients and stir.
3. Incorporate wet ingredients into dry and pour mixture into 9×13 pyrex glass dish
4. Evenly place almonds on top of batter
5. Bake for 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until the middle is firm.
6. Cool completely then cut into bars

Directions for chocolate drizzle:

1. In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter.
2. Once chocolate and butter is fully melted, stir in cardamom, vanilla, and stevia
3. Transfer chocolate to small ziploc bag and close.
4. Cut a tiny piece of the corner of the bag off and drizzle over cooled bars.

This is my favorite way to get all the coconut goodness I can handle.  I hope you like it.

May your candy bar dreams come true,

Carrie