Paleo Homemade Almond Joy Cups
These Paleo Homemade Almond Joy cups are a no bake treat that are super easy to make. A copycat version of the popular candy that is made healthier. Gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened!
The almond joy cups are so delicious and I know you will absolutely love them! The bottom layer is smooth and rich and reminds me of fudge. The top layer is lighter, slightly chewy and goes perfectly with the chocolate layer. Chocolate and coconut are so good together!
These are perfect to make in the summer because they require no baking. There is a little stove top mixing, but it’s only 1-2 minutes so definitely not enough to heat up the kitchen.
Here are the types of coconut you’ll find in the stores. The left is finely shredded and it is very easy to find. I’ve seen it in every health food store and even main grocery stores. The middle is shredded and it’s a little larger. This one is harder to find and I can only find it at Kroger. The right is coconut flakes and that is also easy to find, but those are too big for this recipe. You’ll want to use the left or middle one. I think the left one works best because it mixes best, but the middle one will add more chew and texture if you like that. I hope that helps when you’re picking out coconut to use.
One thing about these cups is to not be inpatient when making them. The first time I made them I didn’t let the chocolate layer fully harden in the fridge and when I put the coconut layer on top it all mixed together. So I made them again- letting the chocolate fully cool and they came out much better.
You can make these in a muffin tin like I did or you can press them into a 9 inch square pan and make bars. I topped them with sliced almonds, but you can use whole almonds like the candy bar if that’s what you like. Of course you can leave the almonds completely off to have a version more like mounds. You know…sometimes you feel like a nut, and sometimes you don’t!
You will love these because they are easy to make and so delicious!
- 1/2 cup Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, melted
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup cacao powder, sifted
- 1/2 cup almond butter, unsalted and unsweetened
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Golden Barrel Coconut Oil, room temperature
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 2/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips (optional)
- Line a muffin pan with 9 parchment liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the coconut oil, coconut sugar, cacao powder, almond butter, almond flour, salt, and vanilla. Mix well until mixture is smooth and everything is combined. It should be like a thick liquid. Divide mixture evenly between the 9 muffin liners and place in the fridge until completely set, 1-2 hours.
- Once the chocolate layer is cool, make the coconut mixture. In a small saucepan melt the coconut oil and maple syrup together over medium-low heat. Once fully melted add in the shredded coconut, tapioca starch, and salt.
- Mix for 1-2 minutes, until the coconut is completely covered and mixture thickens. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, this helps keel the layers separate.
- Remove the muffin tin from the fridge and spoon the coconut mixture over chocolate layer, dividing as evenly as possible. Press the tops down to flatten and place the sliced almonds on top of each one. Place back in the fridge for an hour to set.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate chips once set, if desired.
- Store in the fridge or freezer.
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I made this tonight and it turned out well. I don’t have a muffin tin, so I used a square, glass baking dish. I wish I’d oiled it first, because the square that I did eat was a little messy and difficult to take out. But it was a delicious mess. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome, Rachel! Thanks for trying my recipe! I’m glad you made it work without a muffin tin. Maybe lining the pan with wax paper or parchment paper would help. Then it would come out easily. Glad it was delicious even though it was messy 🙂