Almond Joys

Photo taken by Melissa Giles

These are one of my favorite treats, they are BETTER than almond joys and aren’t full of a whole bunch of ingredients that you can’t pronounce. As an added bonus coconut oil is so good for you, it actually helps you burn fat, and gives you energy.  Hows that for a dessert!
I usually store these in the freezer after I make them. I like to  use a cookie scoop and scoop them out, or I use a little silicone mold, and put the almond joy mixture in, and then put them in the freezer. While they are in the freezer I make the chocolate sauce. I then pull the almond joys out of the freezer put an almond in the center and top it with chocolate sauce. I put them back in the freezer to set up. OUT OF THIS WORLD.

I demo these all of the time at cooking classes and they are always a hit!  Get yourself in the kitchen and make yourself these cute little almond joy bites, and don’t say that I didn’t warn you they are SO good.

Almond Joy Bites
3 C shredded coconut
1 1/2 C almond meal
1 C maple syrup (or 1/2 C agave 1/2 C maple syrup)
1/3 C coconut oil
1 T vanilla
1/2 tsp sea salt

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Scoop out the dough with a mini cookie scoop.  I like the ones with the little rubber top to push out the dough.  I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond.

I like to drizzle a chocolate sauce over these.

Chocolate Sauce

3/4 C coconut oil
1/2 C cocoa powder
1 T vanilla
1/3 C agave (can do part agave, part maple syrup-my favorite!)

Soften the coconut oil, add the cocoa powder, vanilla, and agave mix together well.   Keep mixing the sauce until it come together, it looks like it won’t come together at first but have faith and keep whisking.   You will end up with a beautiful sauce.  If it is a little too dark for you add a little more sweetener.

Drizzle over the scooped out almond joys.  Or optionally pour a little of the chocolate sauce into a mold and then put it in the freezer.  Once it has set up, it takes just a couple of minutes, press the dough on top.  Freeze again.  Pop them out and you will be overjoyed to have the cutest little almond joy bites.  Take them to a party and let everyone love that they can eat healthy almond joys!

ENJOY!!!