I wasn’t always the healthiest eater. In junior high, I ate an ice cream bar everyday with my lunch. After school, the snack I devoured, every single day, before my sports practices, was a Snickers bar. I certainly didn’t grow up eating Larabars.
I distinctly remember my first Almond Joy. My parents own a campground, and in its store are two aisles of heaven for a kid and they were named Candyland. I was allowed free reign on Candyland and was not shy about picking out my favorites treats.
One day I absentmindedly chose an Almond Joy bar. I sat on the steps and opened the wrapper, excited to experience my prize. A hot day, the sun had rendered the bar a bit melty. This, of course, made my first Almond Joy that much better. I know that Almond Joy bars are not especially popular among the under-12 crowd, but I loved it. It was pure joy.
Since then, Almond Joy bars (and Mounds) have been up there with my favorite candy bars. The chocolate and coconut combination is incredible. The only problem is I try not to eat candy bars anymore.
Whenever I have a craving for something from my unhealthy past, I immediately think of ways I can create a healthier version. In comes the Pure Joy bar. While these don’t taste exactly like an Almond Joy, they satisfy my coconut chocolate craving without being nutritionally void. With only dates, almonds, coconut, and cocoa powder as ingredients, each one brings something nutritious to the bar. (You know cocoa powder has antioxidants, right?!)
Please forget that these bars look like something you wouldn’t normally eat and trust me that they are Pure Joy.
Print
Pure Joy Bars
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
A bar to satisfy my coconut chocolate craving without being nutritionally void.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup almonds+12 more for individual bars
- 1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, process the dates, almonds, and cocoa powder until they form a ball. It’s okay if there are some specks of almonds that aren’t totally incorporated. Transfer to a small bowl and add 1/4 cup of the coconut. Use your hands to mix it in.
- You’ll need to knead it and fold it until it blends in. Add the rest of the coconut and do the same thing until it is totally mixed in.
- On a piece of wax paper, use your hands to flatten the mixture into a rectangle.
- Next, use a knife to cut it into four equal pieces.
- Add three almonds to the top of each individual rectangle.
- Fold the mixture on top of the almonds and press it so it is closed. Use a knife to cut into 12 individual bars, pressing the seams closed with your fingers if necessary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 97
- Sugar: 9.75g
- Sodium: 7.1g
- Fat: 4.6g
- Carbohydrates: 13.5g
- Protein: 2.6g
Edited to Add: I made these exclusively with my blender before seeing your comments about the mixture being dry. I tried them in the food processor and noticed that the mixture was drier than normal and didn’t form a ball like in the blender. Once I took it out of the food processor, however, I was able to form it into a ball in my hands and it stuck together well. If you think the mixture is still too dry, add more dates. Even if it seems crumbly, however, it will most likely stick together once you knead it in your hands a bit. My bars were just as delicious when made in the food processor!
I hope all you Almond Joy lovers out there love these as much as I do!
I bet these taste better than almond joys! Yum
And much healthier, too! 🙂
Hi, Maryea! I’m a new follower and am so enjoying your recipes!! However, I’ve tried this one twice now (I really like chocolate and coconut), but both times, when processing, my mixture never turned into a ball. I’m thinking it’s because my almonds are roasted and they should be raw?? The first time they just stayed super crumbly (but I still ate all of it), and the second time I added some extra dates and some walnuts and eventually it processed into ball form. What do you think?
I’m sorry that I missed this comment. I did use raw almonds, but I’m not sure if that would make the difference or not. What kind of dates did you use? Were they super dry? Did you use a blender or food processor? I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t form a ball. I’ve processed dates w/ nuts in so many different recipes and it always forms a ball. I’m really sorry it didn’t work for you!
I made these yesterday and absolutely LOVE them! What a terrific “healthified” way to satisfy a candy-bar craving!
Valerie- I, too, had issues with the “ball” texture forming while processing. My dates/almonds just stayed crumbly and kept sticking to the walls of my food processor. What fixed this SUPER fast though is just about 2 T. almond milk splashed in to add some wetness. That tiny bit of moisture made the mixture ball almost immediately! I also used roasted almonds, and chopped dates coated in sugar.
Hope that idea helps– mine turned out GREAT after that tiny adjustment. Thanks Maryea for the recipe!
I’m glad you liked these, Whitney! And thanks so much for sharing the tip. I’m wondering if the difference was that I made these in the Vitamix rather than the food processor. I’ve used the food processor many times for similar recipes, so I guess I assumed it would work fine. I think I’m going to try these in the food processor and see if I have the same outcome. If so, I’ll edit the recipe. Thank you!
Mine were dry too. But I’m sure it was because I couldn’t find pitted dates, so I bought the bagged chopped kind. So, after I ran them through the food processor (hoping it would somehow bring out some moisture), I poured the mixture in a bowl and added about 3/4 cup natural peanut butter and 2 TBSP. honey (and the coconut). That did the trick. These were yummy! Both my girls (2 and 6) gobbled them up. Hopefully I can find regular pitted dates soon, there are other recipes on your website that I want to try!
What a clever recipe, I love it! I’m a big fan of dates and chocolate so I’m sure I’d love these.
I love the step by step pictures on this recipe – DEF going to try
i LOVE dates!! thanks for passing on this recipe. 🙂
Ooh these look delicious! can’t wait to try them!
Can’t wait to make these!
Mounds are my favorite! I will have to try these on the next grocery trip 🙂 You have such great ideas when it comes to food, keep it up.
Thanks, Helen! My taste buds guide me. 🙂
Mounds are my favorite! I will have to try these on the next grocery trip 🙂 You have such great ideas when it comes to food, keep it up.
I was never a fan of Almond Joy because of the coconut texture. I just started liking coconut in the past year, though, and this looks delicious!
Cannot wait to try these…YUM!!
Oh my, It’s 8:03 AM here right now and I don’t think I can make it an hour without making these. And, what do you know? I seem to have all of the ingredients on hand. Looks like my youngest and I will be making some “Pure Joy” bars in about an hour. Thanks,. Maryea. You have outdone yourself on this one. I just know that we will love it!
Haha! Almond Joys are my very favorite!! I literally can’t wait to make these. As in…I will be making them today! 🙂