"Almond Joy" Bars (Revised (sugar free with allergy options

• Baking & Spices

  • 6 tbsp Cocoa
  • 1/4 tsp Flavoring
  • 2 1/2 tsp Vanilla

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 15/16 cup Coconut oil

• Nuts & Seeds

  • 1 Almond
  • 1 2/3 cup Coconut flakes, Unsweetened

• Other

  • ¼ cup granulated sweetener or appropriate substitute (for candida diets, xylitol and erythritol work well. 4-6 scoops stevia extract is a good alternative

Found on wholenewmom.com

Description

Ingredients

• ½ cup coconut oil (palm shortening would work well too, as well as butter)
• ½ cup almond butter (any nut or seed butter would work, but almond is especially nice) See Homemade Nut / Seed Butter. Use coconut butter for AIP. Heres how to make your own.
• ¼ cup granulated sweetener or appropriate substitute (for candida diets, xylitol and erythritol work well. 4-6 scoops stevia extract is a good alternative)
• 6 Tbsp cocoa (for more health benefits, use raw cacao, or use carob for AIP)
• 3 Tbsp additional sweetener (I use vegetable glycerine, xylitol, erythritol, or any combination thereof, due to being on a candida diet, which I started a number of years ago. Use a little more if using erythritol since it isnt as sweet. You could use my DIY Truvia or 1½ scoops stevia as well)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1⅔ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 7 Tbsp coconut oil (palm shortening or butter would work well too)
• ⅓ cup granulated sweetener (or 2-3 scoops stevia extract powder. I use NuNaturals.)
• 1½ tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp additional flavoring (optional. Almond or coconut are good choices)
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder (non-gmo cornstarch may be substituted. Use 1/16 tsp of xanthan gum or glucomannan if you need to avoid these foods.)
• Almond halves or slices (optional)

Directions

• Melt oil and nut / seed butter over low heat.
• Stir in carob (sifted if you like, but I have never bothered with this) and granulated sweetener and combine thoroughly.
• Mix in remaining ingredients except for vanilla. Continuously stir until it slightly thickens, then remove from heat.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the mixture into an 8×8 pan and place in freezer to harden while you make the topping. If you dont have room in your freezer, the fridge will get it solid enough to work with.
• Melt oil in small pan and add coconut flakes. Stir.
• Add remaining ingredients. Simmer and stir until it thickens a bit.
• Once the chocolate is hardened, gently smooth the coconut mixture on top.
• Place slivered or whole almonds on top. Place bars back in the freezer until hardened. Again, the fridge will work, but it will take longer.
• Slice into squares of desired size and enjoy! Theyll probably be too hard to cut right out of the freezer so you may need to let them thaw a bit first.
• Store in the refrigerator.