This Homemade Almond Joy Candy is better than the original because of more nuts and more chocolate! JOY never tasted so good!!
Want to learn how to make your own, better than the original, homemade almond joy candy bars? Stick close, this recipe will become one of your favorites!
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Homemade Almond Joy Candy is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2013. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me.
In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner, and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- almonds, both whole and chopped
- sweetened shredded coconut
- confectioners sugar
- heavy cream
- salt
- pure vanilla extract
- semi-sweet chocolate
- cocoa powder (optional)
- pecans, chopped
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large bowl
- baking sheets
- nut chopper
- cutting board
- medium microwave-safe bowl
- forks
- sieve
- spatula or wooden spoon
- parchment paper
- large skillet
- candy boxes (for gifting)
- air-tight containers (for storing)
Shop for the best nut and gift items:
Oh Nuts Candy Nuts Chocolate & GiftsWhy this recipe for homemade almond joy candy is better than the original:
The inside of these homemade coconut nut candy bars are creamy and coco-nutty with the undeniable taste of an Almond Joy bar.
Then they are enrobed in a coating of deep dark chocolate, sinful and yet full of antioxidants.
Then, I gilded the lily (who me?) by giving them yet another layer of chopped nuts by sitting them on top of a layer of chopped toasted nuts for a fabulously crunchy bottom!
If you're a nut for a nut (or know someone who is), then this chocolate and coconut almond candy is for you!!
How to store copycat almond joy candy:
Store the candy at room temperature in an air-tight container for freshness.
They should last for up to 2 weeks, but they won't. LOL
The instructions for making homemade chocolate coconut candy:
- Place the coconut and whole almonds in an even layer on a baking sheet, and toast them lightly in a 350-degree oven for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, sift confectioners sugar into a large bowl, and add the heavy cream.
- Add the toasted coconut to the bowl along with the vanilla extract. Stir well to combine.
- Reserve 40 of the toasted whole almonds, and set the rest aside.
- Shape the coconut mixture into 2" logs (roll them first into balls, using approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture, and then shape them into logs).
- Top each log with 2 whole almonds each, making sure to press each almond gently yet firmly into the coconut mixture.
- Place the logs into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden.
- Meanwhile, chop the remaining toasted almonds.
- Add the chopped pecans and chopped almonds to a dry skillet and toast for 1 - 2 minutes over medium heat, watching them carefully so they don't burn.
- Pour the toasted nuts in an even layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Set aside.
- Remove the almond joy candy from the freezer and dip them each into melted semi-sweet chocolate to coat.
- Once each almond joy candy bar is coated with melted chocolate, place each one onto the layer of toasted nuts, and drizzle the candy lightly with any remaining melted chocolate.
- Once the chocolate has fully dried, sprinkle a light dusting of cocoa powder over each candy, if desired.
Additional homemade candy recipes:
*Copycat Payday Candy Bars (pictured below)
If you’re a fan of Payday candy bars then you’ll go NUTS for this fast and easy Copycat Payday Candy Bars recipe. After all, who doesn’t love payday?!!
*Coconut Pecan Praline Candy (pictured below)
You can either thank me for this recipe of coconut pecan praline candy or curse me out! They’re so good and so addicting you may eat them all by yourself! Sorry. Not sorry!
*Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Jumbles (pictured below)
This fast and easy recipe for Peanut Butter & Chocolate Granola Jumbles will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you a boost of energy which will last you all through the afternoon.
*Homemade Candy Recipe Roundup (not shown)
*Homemade Almond Joy Candy (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's delicious sweet tooth recipe for Homemade Almond Joy Candy.
If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating in the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. I thank you most sincerely! 🙂
Homemade Almond Joy Candy
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole almonds
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups confectioners sugar sifted
- 5-6 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder optional
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350-degrees.
- Prepare a baking sheet by covering with aluminum foil or a parchment paper.
- Spread the whole almonds on half the baking sheet and the shredded coconut on the other half.
- Toast the nuts and coconut in the oven for 10-12 minutes (stirring occasionally), until lightly toasted, and watching carefully so they don't burn.
- Remove and cool.
- Reserve 20 whole almonds and set aside.
- Chop the remaining almonds into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a medium-size bowl using a wooden spoon, stir the sifted powdered sugar, and the heavy cream together to form a thick paste. *Note - Start with 5 tablespoons, and if needed, add the 6th tablespoon of heavy cream.
- Stir in the toasted coconut, vanilla extract, and salt to combine thoroughly.
- Line another baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the coconut mixture into 2" logs (roll them first into balls, using approximately 1 tablespoon of the coconut mixture, and then shape them into logs).
- Top each log with 2 whole almonds each, making sure to press each almond gently yet firmly onto the coconut logs.
- Place the logs into the freezer for at least 15 minutes (longer is fine too), to harden.
- In a dry skillet, over medium heat, toast the chopped toasted almonds and pecans. Stirring frequently. **Keep an eye on these as they can burn easily**. Once you can start to smell them, they're done.
- Place the toasted nuts in a single even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- In a medium-size microwave-safe bowl, add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and microwave at 40-50% power at 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. **NOTE - make sure that no water gets into the chocolate mixture at this point as it will seize and harden the chocolate, making it completely unusable. Stir and continue microwaving, at low temperature, until all the chocolate is completely melted and loose.
- Remove the coconut candy from the freezer and using a few forks (or BBQ fork), drop the coconut candy in the melted chocolate, turning to completely cover.
- Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and lay the chocolate coated candy bars on top the chopped nuts on the baking sheet.
- Allow the candy to dry completely.
- Use the remaining melted chocolate and a fork to drizzle chocolate over the candy and then sprinkle with a light dusting of the cocoa powder (if desired).
Video
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's homemade chocolate and coconut candy recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!!
Alaiyo Kiasi says
I agree with Conni that your candies look amazing, and thanks for the careful photographing of the process, and with such beautiful results. Great movie-food connection!
Paula says
I'm a nut for a nut too and these almond joy bars with the extra nuts would not last long around me! Love how you always add your own special additions to recipes.
Conni Dahl Smith says
Okay, first, these candies look amazing! I love chocolate, and coconut and nuts... this is just goodness wrapped in goodness! But the movie? The original Willy Wonka gave me nightmares. I remember watching in in bed with my mom in her room when I was 4 or 5 years old. The new version? Oh my! It was good, but man was Johnny Depp disturbingly creepy! He's such a good actor 🙂
Laura Dembowski says
I so want that book. Nothing makes me happier than homemade candy! Yours looks delicious!
Renee Goerger says
I highly recommend the cookbook Laura. I have several recipes marked to make in the not too distant future. If you love homemade candy, this is the book for you.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Shelby | Diabetic Foodie says
My mom doesn't like coconut, so I didn't eat much of it growing up. Now I love it. Your bars look heavenly!
Renee Goerger says
People either love coconut or hate it. There is usually no gray area. I happen to love it. My husband hates it. Oh well, too bad for him this time. LOL
Thanks for the visit and the comment. Much appreciated.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Katrina says
Delicious! Love your twist with the added pecans on the bottom. Nothing can be too nutty for me.
I want that cookbook!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Katrina. I'm going to have to try your almond joy recipe some day too. I'm sure they're very similar in flavor but the potatoes intrigue me.
Megan Wood says
I love love love this recipe! This is amazing.
Renee Goerger says
Thank you so much for the visit and the comment.
If you're an almond joy lover, this recipe is for you.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Chef Di says
What a great cookbook! And loved the instructions and pics... sounds like something really fun to try. 😉
Renee Goerger says
Yes, do try. They were super easy to make and super delicious.
Thanks for visiting and for the lovely comments. Much appreciated.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Sarah Reid says
Not for me, but I do know a few people who would love to find one of these in their lunch
Renee Goerger says
My husband isn't a fan either. Too bad for him, I am 🙂 Next time I make candy bars, they'll be his choice. LOL
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Martin D says
My sweet goodness. I could hurt myself eating these! I love the combination of chocolate, nuts and coconut. Amazing recipe and photos!
Renee Goerger says
Thanks for the lovely comments Martin. I would have hurt myself on these as well if I hadn't gotten the out of the house early. I gave most of them away to family and friends. Let them get fat. HAHA! Just kidding.
Rene - Kudos Kitchen
Tara says
Oh my heavens those look divine!! I am a big fan of that movie, probably the older version more as that is what I grew up with but love me some Johnny Depp anytime!!
Renee Goerger says
I'm a Johnny Depp fan too Tara although I'm old school when it comes to movies. Give the the original any day of the week 🙂
Thanks for the visit and them comment. Much appreciated.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
Oh my goodness! Those look amazing. I have to make these. Asap lol Yum
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Shannon. If you like chocolate and coconut, these are for you!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Liz Berg says
Almond Joys and Mounds are my guilty pleasures! These look just amazing!!!
Renee Goerger says
Thanks for the visit and the lovely comment Liz. It means a lot to me.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Sweet and That's it says
Renee, they look amazing. Thank you for all the great pictures and the fabulous tutorial.
Love it... Mmmm they must be delicious!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I sometimes wonder if I publish too many pictures on my posts but, for whatever reason, I can't seem to edit myself. To me that's part of the fun of posting 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Renee says
Just pack up the whole batch and send them to me please! Oh. My. Goodness. and how much I love coconut and chocolate and Almond Joys. And these are even more scrumptious sounding. Mmmmm...
Renee Goerger says
Thanks so much Renee. I'd pack them up and send to you but you could make them faster than it would take for me to send them to you 🙂
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Oh my gosh - this is SO MUCH FUN! I looooove almond joys, so these are something that I am dying to make at home. Yours are so beautiful and I bet a millions times better than storebought. I'm so happy that people are enjoying this theme 🙂
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Heather. If you love almond joys, you'll definitely love these. Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Amanda says
Oh my gosh seriously these look way better than a store bought candy bar! I need that cookbook!!!
Renee Goerger says
This was the first recipe I made out of this book. I highly recommend adding this cookbook to your collection.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Wendy Wofford-Garcia says
Yum...what a fun cookbook! I was also inspired by Willy Wonka today...not much better in the world than homemade chocolate!
Renee Goerger says
I couldn't agree more. I had to get these candy bars out of the house as quickly as possible 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
The Cooking Actress says
Mmmm this candy looks positively crave-worthy!!
Renee Goerger says
It really was. Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen