Homemade Almond Joy Recipe {Clean Eating Recipe!}

I have to tell you that these homemade Almond Joy patties are  my favorite recipe I have made in a looonngg time!  These are so addicting and fresh and delicious.

And while this is definitely a treat- this recipe is so much better for you then many other recipes for treats.  This has dark chocolate but no added sugars which helps keep the calorie count down.

If you like chocolate and coconut I really hope you give this a shot!  Our family LOVES these.

These require just a few ingredients to make and they are really fast and simple.  I like to make these with chocolate bars that have almonds- it makes them taste like an almond joy.  If nuts are an issue you can just get plain chocolate and these will be something like a Junior Mint.  Either way is wonderful!

Here is what you need:

• Fresh Mint
• Peppermint Extract*
• Large Dark Chocolate Bars with almonds or without
• Unsweetened, shredded Coconut
• Maple Syrup

The first step is to get out a cupcake or mini muffin pan and line with cupcake liners. These do stick so if you have silicone liners those work the best.

Next get the coconut mixture ready to go.

In the bowl of a food processor, add 1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut, 4-6 fresh mint leaves, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.  Just process a few times to incorporate all the ingredients and that is it!

Next take your chocolate bars and break them into pieces. Place in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir.

Continue to microwave in 20 second increments until melted. Make sure to stir each time.

Place a thin layer of melted chocolate in your cupcake liners. Smear with a spoon to get a nice even layer of chocolate- bang your cupcake pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles.

Top with coconut mixture- this is to your taste- I like to be generous with the coconut and try to spread it completely over the chocolate. Tap down with the back of a spoon.

Now you want to add a second layer of melted chocolate on top. This step can be skipped but it does make these easier to handle when they are shaped like a Reese’s peanut butter cup.

Once you completely cover the coconut with chocolate, pop these in the freezer for about 20 minutes.

They should become hard and solid. Remove from cupcake liner and enjoy!!

You should get 6-8 of these little patties with one large chocolate bar.  You will have plenty of coconut mixture.

*Peppermint extract can be found in the baking aisle of stores like Walmart for about $2.00. I have the JR Watkins brand. You have to be really careful with this ingredient- too much and your coconut will taste like Listerine. It adds a lot of zip and freshness and when I have skipped this ingredient I found a big difference in the recipe. 

These are perfect for St Patrick’s Day!

And if you like Chocolate and Mint together- you might like this Mint Fudge Brownies recipe or these Chocolate Covered Mint Oreos cookies.

Recipe adapted from Clean Eating Magazine.