---

MOCK ALMOND JOY-cheaper and healthier

---

---

We try to eat healthy. That being said, sometimes having an occassional treat just hits the spot. Personally, I am not a huge fan of chocolate. I only eat it a few times a year. However, when I do have a hankering for it, Almond Joy candy bars are one of my favorites. They are not cheap to buy at the store and have a lot of ingredients I would rather not eat. If I am going to eat chocolate candy, I would rather make it so I can control the ingredients, for as cheap as possible.

---

---

---

---

Let's do a little math, shall we?

If two people bought 1 ALMOND JOY once every 24 days from a convenience store, including tax that would cost aproximately:

365 days divided by 24 days = aproximately 16 Almond Joys a year
16 Almond Joys/year x 2 people = 32 almond joys a year
32 Almond Joys/year x aprox $2 each is

$64/year

---

---

---

---

COST OF INGREDIENTS/MATERIALS FOR THIS RECIPE:

• 2 packages Almond Bark (aprox $6.00)
• 1 20 oz package Unsweetened coconute flakes (aprox $2.00)
• 2/3 can Sweetened condensed milk from Dollar Tree (aprox $0.80)
• 2 Tablespoons Agave (aprox $0.35)
• 64 unsalted rosted Almonds (aprox $1.00)
• 1/2 cup filtered water (aprox $0.00)
• 32 paper muffin liners or 16"x24" sheets of parchment paper (aprox $1.00 or $0.05)
• 2 1 second sprays of organic coconut oil (aprox $0.15)

(ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN COST BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE):

• 2 large muffin pans or 2 16"x24" baking sheets (we used baking sheets this time but I would recommend the muffin pans so you can better control the amount of chocolate and have easily separated and uniform bars)
• 1 spatula
• 1 medium stainless steel mixing bowl
• 1 medium sauce pan
• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 small saucepan or microwaveable bowl
• plastic wrap for microwaveable bowl

---

---

APPROXIMATE TOTAL COST INCLUDING TAX for 32 mock Almond Joys

$11.30/yr (muffin pan method)

with a SAVINGS of (64-11.30)=$52.70/yr

OR

$10.35/year (baking sheet method)

with a SAVINGS OF (64-10.35)=$53.65/yr

---

---

DIRECTIONS:

1. Lightly spray the muffin pans or baking sheets with the coconut spray.
2. Put muffin liners in muffin pans or line baking sheets with parchment paper and spray again. Trim the excess paper if using the baking sheet method (oops we forgot and it got a little messy).
3. Mix the unsweetened coconut, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (you will have a little leftover in the can to put in your morning coffee, YUM!), 2 tablespoons agave, and 1/2 cup of water in a large mixing bowl.
4. Transfer mixture to small saucepan.
5. On medium low heat, cook, mixing often, until the water is absorbed and the coconut is softened. Set aside.
6. Alternatively, transfer mixture to microwaveable bowl.
7. Cover with plastic wrap.
8. Microwave 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside.

---

---

[STEPS 1-2]

---

[STEPS 3-8]

---

---

1. Place about 1 inch of water in the bottom of a medium sauce pan. Bring to a low boil.
2. Place metal mixing bowl on top of the saucepan. (alternatively use a double boiler)
3. Check to make sure the water in the pan is not boiling too much to potentially boil over.
4. Break 1 package of the Almond bark into the squares, then add to the metal bowl.
5. Slowly stir until all of the chocolate is melted but not longer. Heating at too high of a temperature or for too long can affect the consistency and rate of hardening. Using a double boiler or this make shift double boiler helps control the melting process easier. However, you can try it in the microwave by heating and stirring in 30 second increments.
6. Quickly add the melted chocolate into the muffin liners in a thin layer, or pour half into the baking pans, spreading quickly into a thin but even layer before the chocolate begins to harden. Hustle or it will start to solidify too quickly!
7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the coconut mixture in the center of each muffin liner, making sure not to touch the edges of the muffin liner with the mixture. There should be an uncovered thin ring of chocolate around the outside edge.
8. Or, on the baking sheets place 1/2 teaspoon as best you can, in a 4 x 4 configuration. You want them to be evenly spaced with a chocolate gap between each. This is so when you pour the next layer of chocolate you can have a completely covered candy bar which will hold together.
9. Place 2 roasted almonds on the top of each one.
10. Return the metal bowl onto the saucepan to reheat the second package of Almond Bark as you did the first in steps 4-5.
11. Once melted, add just enough chocolate to each one to completely cover the coconut mixture. You might need to spread it around with a utensil if using the baking sheet method. It's harder to control the amount of chocolate.
12. Cut with a pizza cutter or sharp knife before it hardens all the way.
13. Cover & let cool until the chocolate has completely hardened.

---

---

[STEP 1]

[STEP 3]

---

[STEP 4]

[STEP 5]

---

[STEPS 6-9]

---

[STEPS 10-13]

---

---

BE SURE TO CLEAN UP ALL THE CHOCOLATE THAT MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED SO THAT YOUR DOGS AND CATS CANNOT GET TO IT. IT WILL MAKE THEM SICK.

---

---

ENJOY!!

---

---

Previous food recipes of mine can be found below:

SANTA DELIVERED SHROOMS! SHITAKE OYSTER SCRAMBLE RECIPE
SWEET CINNAMON POPCORN

---

---

That's all for now. Until the next post... Also, if you enjoy these posts, I would greatly appreciate a follow, up-vote, and resteem. #PAL

---

---

Proud to be a member of @qurator, a curation group whose purpose is to help curate new Steemians get established on steemit who are working hard to post quality content.

---

---

Looking for more quality posts from fellow Homesteaders, Permaculture Enthusiasts, and folks who believe in Sustainable Practices? Well then, check out the Homesteaders Online community, too. Hopefully you'll decide to join us.

http://homesteaders-online.com

---

---

Additionally @minnowsupport and the @mspwaves radio station are really great Steemit groups who are open to the entire Steemit community. You should go check them out at the discord link below.

Why don't you come say hello in the following Discord chat rooms:

Homesteaders Online: https://discord.gg/VKCrWsS
Qurator: https://discord.gg/pJtWp57
Minnow Support Project & #PAL: https://discord.gg/B4ZjGBa

---