Enjoy the candy bar favorite in a new way with this Almond Joy Bark! Chewy, almond-flavored coconut flakes and almonds are covered with melted chocolate. A no-bake dessert that'll be your warm weather favorite!
It's Friday, and it's been a long week. Isn't it always a long week? If you're anything like me, it's time to dig out those yoga pants, nestle into the couch in your favorite (super old) sweatshirt, and spend half the night browsing Netflix trying to find something new, interesting, and non-cheesy to watch. Sometimes that really does take half the night! Then despite your best efforts, you'll have to call it quits on your carefully chosen movie because despite it being the. weekend!!! it's 10:30 pm and you're falling asleep on the couch.
That may or may not describe ALL my Fridays.
Since Friday nights are obviously all about laziness relaxation for me, most of the time some sort of dessert is involved too. I'll usually have a few goodies left over from the past couple of days in the pantry/freezer (the perks of being a food blogger) BUT sometimes we're all out. That's where quick, no-bake treats like this almond joy bark come in! You'll have a pan of chocolate-almond-coconut goodness ready to roll in thirty minutes, with a good chunk of that inactive time as the chocolate hardens in the refrigerator.
Inactive time = more time on the couch = yes, please.
This bark has all of the great flavors of Almond Joy, without a) needing to run to the store after you've already changed into your PJs (or that old sweatshirt) and b) taking the extra time to dip individual coconut balls in chocolate. All you need to do is line a 9" x 5" pan with foil, spread melted chocolate on the bottom and cool it to harden, spread coconut mixture evenly on chocolate, add a layer of slivered almonds, and spread more melted chocolate on the top. Pop the pan in the fridge so all the chocolate has hardened and there you go!
As with a lot of my recipes, there's ample room for customization here. First off you can use whatever type of chips you've got on hand. I used unsweetened coconut flakes as that's what I had in the pantry, but sweetened coconut flakes would also work. If using those, you may wish to reduce the sugar. I'd add it gradually starting with a tablespoon or two and do a taste test to see if more is needed.
This bark magically transforms into Mounds bark if you've got some picky eaters hanging around if you omit the almonds (and/or add dark chocolate!), and top this baby with whatever you please! I used chocolate cookie crumbs, but chocolate shavings, sprinkles, extra coconut flakes would all work. It's hard to go wrong here.
I recommend saving some bark for Saturday night too...those also tend to be heavy on the relaxation. 😉
Almond Joy Bark
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3 tablespoon lite coconut milk
- ¼ cup confectioners' powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
- Approx. ¼ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Line a 9" x 5" loaf pan with aluminum foil. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ¾ cup of the chocolate chips in thirty second intervals on half-power until smooth and melted, stirring after each round in the microwave. Pour melted chocolate into prepared loaf pan, spreading so it's in an even layer lining the bottom of the pan. Stick the pan in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens.
- In a bowl, add coconut flakes, coconut milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and almond extracts. Stir to combine all. Mixture should be just moist, but should not be too wet or liquidy.
- Once the chocolate base has hardened, remove from refrigerator and spread coconut mixture evenly over top of it, leaving an edge of about ½" on all sides of the pan. Place almond slivers in an even layer over top of the coconut.
- Melt the remaining ¾ cup chocolate chips in the same manner as above, pouring over top of the coconut mixture/almonds. Try and make sure the chocolate reaches the very edges of the bark. Refrigerate bark until top layer of chocolate has hardened, then cut into pieces. Store in the refrigerator.
Recipe adapted from Epicurious
Suzanne Bishop says
I have never have coconut milk. Could regular milk can be substituted? I assume it will slightly change the taste but do not know if the consistency would work.
Alyssa says
Hi Suzanne, sorry for the delay in my reply! I would say condensed milk could be substituted for the coconut milk here, but I'm not positive on regular milk as it has a thinner consistency. The milk is to moisten the coconut flake mixture just enough to hold together, so you might be able to experiment with regular milk and eyeball just enough to add without it becoming too wet. Another option would be to use sweetened coconut flakes which I find to be moister, so it probably would require less milk. I hope that is helpful - please let me know if you end up trying it!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh man, LOVE these!! I can never decide between Almond Joy and Mounds because I love the almonds, but also prefer the dark chocolate on Mounds. Solution... make you own!! I bet even a white chocolate one would be good (and extra sweet and decadent!).
Alyssa says
Ahh yessss, Jess! I'm an equal opportunist when it comes to Almond Joy and Mounds. Love the almond but also love dark chocolate. Using dark chocolate here with the almonds sounds like the best of both worlds! 🙂 And white chocolate...uhh, yum! That needs to happen soon!
Dani @ House in Tillford says
I love a Friday night in with Netflix! And I think your delicious bark will have to join me- looks and sounds delish
Alyssa says
Thanks so much Dani! Relaxing Friday nights are the best. 🙂
marcie says
Almond Joys are one of my favorite candies, and I love homemade versions! These look delicious, Alyssa, and I wish I had some to enjoy while I watch Game of Thrones tonight! haha They're on my to-do list. 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie!
Izzy says
Haha, it really does take so long to find something watchable on Netflix! That is why we are rewatching all of the Office seasons right now! Chocolate and coconut is such a great classic combo and I love how thick and delicious these look!
Alyssa says
Haha glad I'm not alone Izzy! I love when we're in the midst of a tv series because we don't need to browse for ever to figure out what we're watching! Thanks! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Wow, this just looks to die for! So delicious and I loooove almond joy anything. Pinning 🙂
Alyssa says
Thank you Medha! Almond Joy anything = yes please!! 🙂
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Yes please! I love coconut and chocolate! This looks like the perfect treat!
Alyssa says
Coconut and chocolate is the best! Thanks Amber!
Catherine says
Dear Alyssa, this sounds magnificent. I love almond joys. They are one of my favorites. Pinning for later. xo, Catherine
Alyssa says
Thank you so much Catherine! Almond Joys are one of my favorite candies too. And thank you for the pin! 🙂