COCONUT CANDY BARS

By bjnelson55

These homemade chocolate candy bars combine shredded coconut, almonds, and graham cracker crumbs in an irresistible mix that's hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1-1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted*
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 14-ounce package flaked coconut
• 1 14-ounce can (1 1/4 cups) sweetened condensed milk
• 18 ounces dark chocolate pieces, melted**

Details

Servings 36

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup of the almonds, and the brown sugar in a food processor. Cover and process until almonds are finely chopped. Add butter; cover and pulse with four or five on-off turns or until mixture is well combined. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes.

2. Combine coconut and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl. Spread mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup almonds evenly over coconut layer. Bake for 10 minutes.

3. Spread melted chocolate evenly over top of baked mixture. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. (If desired, chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.) Cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.

4. *Note: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice.

5. **Note: To melt dark chocolate pieces, place chocolate pieces in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50 percent power (medium) about 3 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring once or twice.

6. To store: Place bars in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

If you don't have a food processor, don't worry. Just grind the almonds in a kitchen grinder, stir ground nuts into the graham cracker crumbs. Add melted butter and mix with fork.Press into pan and continue with recipe. This is very rich and delicious and super easy to make.