Almond Joy Brownie Bars
Fudgy, dense brownies layered with a sweet cream cheese coconut topping, crunchy roasted almonds, and a smooth chocolate glaze. These almond joy inspired bars might change your mind about coconut!
Omg you guys. The craziest thing is happening to me!
I never thought I’d say this, but…
I LIKE COCONUT!
Wha??? How did that happen? Is that even possible?
Seriously, how can somebody go from being a coconut hater for nearly 40 years, to a coconut lover, almost overnight???
These bars definitely played a key role.
Really, it began for me with coconut milk. After having it in Thai curry, I had no trouble deciding that the flavor of coconut is woooonderful, but maybe it was just the texture I had been hating for all my life.
-Is it too late to be posting a coconut recipe? I hope not. I’m so out of the coconut loop, I’m telling you! I’m totally a newbie to the coconut club, so please tell me I’m not committing a coconut faux pas by posting a coconut recipe after Easter.-
*Why is coconut such an Easter thing, anyway?*
Anyhow, back to the bars, and my complete coconut 180. My husband loves coconut and has always wished for me to make more coconut desserts. I did intend to do this before Easter, but I had so many coconut ideas I didn’t know which one to try first. I settled on a coconut ice cream cake for Passover, which I made by layering Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Naked Coconut Milk ice cream between layers of almond dacquoise. Then I topped it with a chocolate glaze which was delicious but extremely sloppy and not blog-post-worthy. I would love to share the recipe with you at some point, because: A) it was the bomb, and B) it was gluten and dairy-free. But I need to tweak/perfect it a bit so it looks as good as it tastes. The ice cream totally made it! This coconut ice cream is so unbelievably creamy, and the flavor is outta this world, but it did have little bits of coconut meat running throughout. Which I thought I didn’t like, but the more I licked it off my fingers, the less I minded it.
-No, Luna & Larry’s is not paying me to say that. I just really liked their ice cream. Or rather, non-dairy frozen dessert. Also it’s organic, low glycemic, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan. So, you know. Go nuts.-
Fast forward to two weeks later, when I’m finally getting around to using the bag of sweetened grated coconut I had purchased back when I didn’t know which coconut direction to go in. I’m whipping the coconut into soft cream cheese + vanilla extract, tasting for sweetness, and having a complete coconut epiphany. Cue the choir of angels! Hallelujah, and praise be to coconut!
This is an easy recipe that just begins with your favorite brownie recipe. Do you have a favorite brownie recipe? You know I do. It’s dense and fudgy and extremely dark-chocolatey. You’ll only need one bowl and no mixer, and it’s completely made from scratch, with pantry staples. It’s one of the most popular recipes on this blog! If you don’t already have a box in your cupboard, or an old standby recipe, I think you’ll really like this one!
Once the brownies are all baked up and cooled, just top them with this infamous coconut cream mixture. It’s so good!
Press a few almonds in…
…and drizzle on the chocolate glaze. I find that everything cuts really nice and clean if it’s chilled in the fridge for a few hours. And I really like this kind of knife. I run it under hot water after every cut, and it glides right through the snappy chocolate coating without cracking it.
How do you feel about coconut? Are you a hater or a lover? Maybe if you’re a hater this recipe could convert you! All that chocolate and cream cheesy goodness, the salty roasted almonds, and that sunny tropical flavor… I only wish I had made these sooner!
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Almond Joy Brownie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cup (240 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) cream cheese,, softenend
- 1/4 cup (59.15 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 batch brownies,, baked in a 9x9-inch pan (I halved this recipe and cut the bake time to 30 minutes)
- 1/3 cup (47.67 g) whole roasted & salted almonds
- 2 ounces (56.7 g) chocolate,, chopped
- 3 tablespoons half & half
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the coconut, cream cheese, cream, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Spread an even layer of the coconut mixture all over the surface of the cooled brownies.
- Press almonds over the surface, spacing them out evenly.
- Place the chocolate and half & half in a small bowl and microwave until the cream is hot and the chocolate is beginning to melt. Stir until smooth.
- Mix in the powdered sugar and pour over the coconut and almonds. Shake the pan to level/smooth the glaze, and chill in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
- Cut into bars using a hot bench knife.
Welcome to the right side of the coconut fence! 😉
These look divine. I was always the only one around who actually liked Almond Joys–more for me, ya know?
Ha ha, thanks Danguole! I’m happy to be the newest member of the club. Thanks for stopping by, and for saying hello!
Allie, these look insanely delicious!! What a great idea – I loooove Almond Joy candy bars, and I think I would like these brownies even more! I’m so glad you like coconut now!! My husband was the same as you – he didn’t like coconut but then realized it is just the texture of shredded coconut that he doesn’t like!
Ya that seems to be step one towards coconut rehabilitation. Once you like the flavor, it’s a short jump to not minding the texture either. It’s really not that different from oats, so if you can tolerate a granola bar… I’m so happy you liked the post Cate! Thanks for the sweet comment, dear 😉
You don’t have to convince me. I already love coconut!! And I love it even more in these yummy looking bars!! MMMMmmmmmm!!!!!!
I’m so glad you like it, Renee! These bars made a coconut lover out of me, and they didn’t last very long around here, lol!
Oh Allie, how could you not like coconut? I’m glad that’s been rectified since, to me, it’s criminal. 😆 Definitely safe to say I’m a coconut lover.
I keep hearing about these Almond Joy bars. We don’t have them here (boohoo). So, the only thing I can compare them to is a Bounty (same as Mounds there, I believe), but with a hint of almond flavour too?
These look so darn pretty, not to mention delicious. You know I’m going to have to make these now so I can try the goodness. 🙂 Hope you’re all well. I’ve missed our chats. If you need me, you know where I am. xx
Thank you Lisa! I’ve been missing you too, and I’m so glad to be seeing you around again. I’m so happy you liked the post, my friend! And so happy to be able to join the coconut club 😉 You are right, Almond Joy is just like a Bounty, only with whole roasted almonds on top. It’s a very polarizing candy bar, lol- people seem to either love it or hate it. Hope you’re having a great week, dear!
Dessert doesn’t get any better than this, Almond Joys are my fave!!
Oh I’m so happy to hear that, Sue! Thanks so much for reading and for the great feedback. Hope you’re having a fun weekend!
These are literally the best brownie bars I have ever seen. Love the addition of Almond Joy, my favorite candy bar. Your pictures and styling are really great here, so happy I found your blog. Happy Friday!
Wow that is really an awesome compliment, coming from such a talented blogger as yourself. I’ve only recently discovered your blog, and I love everything you’ve been doing. I’m so glad I found Real Food by Dad, too! Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope you’re enjoying your weekend 😉
Coconut is a year round flavor for me 😉 Almond Joy is my favorite candy, brownies are my favorite dessert, basically, why hasn’t this happened in my world yet?! Love love LOVE this recipe, Ally! So thick and rich and chocolatey! Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning, Mary Frances! It sounds like you need a batch of these bars, stat. Brownies and Almond Joy are totally a match made in heaven. Thanks again, girl! Hope you had a great week 😉
I wasn’t a huge coconut fan growing up either, but in the past five years or so, I can’t get enough! I literally want to put coconut milk, coconut flakes, coconut anything in everything I make.
These bars look crazy good!
Oh totally! Coconut milk is totally my jam. I love how creamy it is! Now I’m looking for excuses to make more coconut stuff, lol! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Laura. Hope you have a fantastic weekend! 😀
Almond Joy is one of my all-time favorite candy bars. But I’ve always thought Almond Joy would be better with just a little more chocolate to balance out all the coconut. I have a feeling I would love these Almond Joy bars, especially with all the decadent chocolate you use (and cream cheese in the coconut filling?! Yum!)
These were definitely more chocolatey than coconutty, so they might be right up your alley, Jamie! The cream cheese was really good too- I mean, when isn’t cream cheese good, lol! Thanks so much for reading and for the sweet comment!
These bars sound amazing- I’ve never heard of almond joy before- but I think we have the same thing here called bounty. Definitely a recipe to try out!
Yes! I’ve heard of Bounty over in the U.K. and I do think it’s the same thing. Coconut, almonds, and chocolate, right? I hope you do give it a try, these bars are outrageous! Happy Friday, sweetie!
I don;’t even like Almond Joy but this looks amazing!
I never liked it either, Chloe, but the coconut and cream cheese really went well with the gooey brownies. I’m telling you, it made a convert outta me! Thanks for the sweet comment, dear; hope you have a terrific weekend! 😀
I’m in the same boat as you, Allie. I used to hate coconut, but now I can’t get enough of it. Or enough of these bars! Coconut and brownies sound like a fabulous combo.
Thanks, Natasha! I really did enjoy the coconut with those fudgy brownies. They just complimented each other so well! I’m so glad you liked the post! Have a great weekend 😉
Okay so I hate Almond Joy and Mounds and basically every coconut candy BUT…BUT…THIS…sounds absolutely amazing. Like, I am about to get up right now and go make them because these pictures are super tempting!
I can’t argue with you, Meriem. I still don’t think I could stomach a Mounds or Almond Joy, or even those coconut Easter eggs that are still everywhere. Candy, no, but with the gooey fudgy brownies the coconut tasted actually really good. Let me know if you give them a try! xoxo
I am 100 percent a chocolate and coconut lover, so um yeah, I NEED to get these bars in my life!
Oh ya, if you like coconut then I’m pretty sure you’d love these! They are super gooey and chocolatey and coconutty. Happy Friday, Stephanie!
I am totally in love with these coconutty beauties! Seriously, Allie, these bars are unbelievably gorgeous! I love every single decadent-looking layer. Beautiful photos as always and pinned! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sarah! For the sweet compliments and for pinning. Hope you had a great week, my dear! 😀
I was the same way! I was all “I don’t like coconut” and…uh…now I do. These bars look so insanely delicious-I love all the layers of tastiness!
So weird how that happens! I was the same way about blue cheese, and then olives… I guess sometimes if you keep trying things just start to grow on you. Thanks a lot, Kayle! Hope you have a great weekend sweetie 😉
I just finished dinner and am not even hungry! Looking for a reason to make this, my tight-fitting spring wardrobe tells me I should wait until I have someone to share them with besides just the hubby!
THANKS for another tempting looking dessert!
Ha ha, I hear ya, Rachel! Time to take those winter pounds off, for me too! Luckily I had lots of people to share these with and they’re already nearly gone. Hopefully you’ll get invited to a barbecue or something so you can make them. They’re really good!
I’m definitely in the coconut-lovers’ camp, Allie. My husband doesn’t like it at all but I have been able to win him over with one or two coconut-containing recipes. I think this would be one of those winning recipes, too! I can almost taste that gooey deliciousness!
Keep at him, Helen! I’m proof that coconut haters can come around. These bars are so gooey and chocolatey, I’m sure they’d change his mind!
OK it is official! Our friendship is safe forever!! Your dislike of coconut had me doubt the longevity there missy for a second lol! But seriously, I am so happy you came around to the light!! I love coconut so much I feel like I abuse it. I threw in some coconut flakes in my waffle batter this morning and got the evil eye from Justin lol! These bars are just amazing. The pictures are stunning and I just love the layers. Oh the layers. See I am too excited. Ok pinning 🙂
Thank you sweetie for the pin love, and I’m so glad to know I have your approval now, lol! Coconut BFF’s 😉
Allie, can’t believe you are a coconut lover now! And besides, coconut is an all year long treat for me… goes with a lot of goodies! Pinning the coconut goodies!
PS… your pictures look so pretty, as always! But, I love how you styled these pretties!
Thank you so much for pinning, Gloria, and for the lovely compliments. And I’m so glad to hear that it’s ok to post coconut all year round! I might have to come up with some other coconut recipes now… 😉