ALMOND JOY BITES

This treat is very quick and easy to make and it tastes very much like an Almond Joy candy bar (only I think its even better).

Just a few ingredients and no baking makes this recipe a real winner and they look so pretty. Great for gift giving or just for snacking.


3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
3 to 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
12 ounce bag of milk chocolate chips (see note)
1/4 cup toasted almonds (optional)(see note)
Mix the coconut, sweetened condensed milk and extracts in the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and thick and sticky.

Put 12 mini cupcake papers into a mini cupcake pan and set aside.
Melt the chocolate chips  (until smooth)in the microwave, on 30 second blasts (stirring well after each 30 seconds). My microwave to a total of about 75 seconds, or 2½ blasts).

 Spoon about 1-2 teaspoons melted chocolate into each mini cupcake paper and smooth it around the bottom of the paper a little.

Next put about one to 2 teaspoons of the sticky coconut mixture on top of the melted chocolate (I rolled them into small balls).

Top coconut mixture with another 1-2 teaspoons melted chocolate. That's it!!  Set the candy in the fridge for about 10 minutes to "set" the chocolate. It couldn't be easier!!!  Makes 12 candies.

NOTE: Any flavor chocolate chips will work. I like milk chocolate, but semi-sweet or dark would be good too.

NOTE: I don't put nuts in this candy, but if you want them, go for it. A whole toasted almond on top of the sticky layer looks pretty.

ENJOY !!!