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Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

almond joy bars plated

Years ago, my mom used to make this wonderful coconut candy dipped in chocolate. It took a lot of work and the chocolate contained paraffin wax. Needless to say, the few times I attempted to make the candy, I left out the wax and found the whole process to be both traumatic and awful.

I did keep the recipe for the filling though.

After seeing various recipes for Almond Joy Bars on Pinterest, I decided to make up my own, using the filling from the dipped candy.

These bars were relatively simple to put together. You do need to either keep them in the fridge or the freezer, though. The centers are sticky and need to be kept chilled.

If you like coconut, almonds and chocolate, you will definitely love these!

almond joy bar ingredients

Ingredients

Combine filling ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm.

Combine filling ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm.

Mix crust ingredients until crumbly. Press into greased (or foil-lined pan) and bake until set.

Cool crust completely before adding filling.
Cool crust completely before adding filling.
When crust is cool, spoon on filling. It will be sticky, so work fast while it is cold. Spread out evenly over crust.

When crust is cool, spoon on filling. It will be sticky, so work fast while it is cold. Spread out evenly over crust.

Nuke chips, butter and cream in 20-30 second bursts until chips are melted. Mix well.

Nuke chips, butter and cream in 20-30 second bursts until chips are melted. Mix well.

Spoon over filling and spread out evenly.

Spoon over filling and spread out evenly.

Top with more sliced almonds then freeze until firm. Cut into bars and indulge!

Top with more sliced almonds then freeze until firm. Cut into bars and indulge!

Almond Joy Bars

Crust:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

2 tbsp. sugar

6 tbsp. butter

Filling:

1 can condensed milk

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 1/2 sticks of butter

3 cups powdered sugar

Topping:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tbsp. butter

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Crust – Beat softened butter then add in flour, sugar and coconut. Mixture will be crumbly.  Press into greased baking dish (if you are lazy like me, line it with foil then spray with non-stick spray. It makes it easy to lift out and cut bars when finished). Bake for about 6-8 minutes, until just set. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Filling – Mix condensed milk, almonds, coconut, butter and sugar until well mixed. Freeze until firm. When crust is cool, spoon filling over the top and spread out to smooth.

Topping – In a microwave safe bowl, mix chips, butter and cream. In 20-30 second intervals, cook until chocolate melts and cream and butter are fully combined. Spread over the top of the filling and sprinkle with nuts. Put in the freezer until firm then take out and cut into bars.

Keep refrigerated or in the freezer until ready to serve (if you feel like sharing!).

These are rich, but oh, so good!

She Who Loves Chocolate and Coconut

25 days 2011

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Okay – I know this is crazy, weird, outdated and flashes the red on the back of my neck… but it still makes me laugh.

Hope it brings you a little holiday smile today!

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One afternoon while we were in Las Vegas, Captain Cavedweller and I were desperate for a snack. Breakfast had long ago been walked off and dinner was still hours away and we’d somehow managed to skip lunch.

We ended up at a table in Max Brenner’s in The Forum Shops.

CC was a little wary about ordering anything. It was not his type of place, for sure. I talked him into splitting something with me and we finally agreed on a Banana Split Waffle.

This was not a breakfast waffle, let me assure you. This was a pearl sugar chocolate waffle.

It was a plate full of warm bliss, topped with flambéd bananas, whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate covered Rice Krispies, caramel and chocolate sauce.

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Yours truly was in heaven.

CC, who is not a big sweet eater, ate more than his half. In fact, he decided we had to go back one evening and share another one before we left town.  He is a very wise man, you know.

While we were there the second time, I ordered a cup of hot chocolate. I kid you not – it was the BEST cup of hot chocolate I’ve ever had. It was the Italian milk chocolate hot chocolate, but my gracious it was delicious.

They serve all sorts of munchies and goodies there. You can sit at the chocolate bar and order specialty drinks. You can also look into a vat of chocolate or shop in the gift shop.

If you ever have the opportunity to experience Max Brenner Chocolate – don’t blink, don’t think, just prepare yourself for an unbelievably wonderful chocolate experience!

She Who Wants Another Waffle

25 days 2011

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Yesterday I posted photos from The Bellagio in Las Vegas, showing their awesome Christmas decorations.
Today, I thought I’d share some photos from The Venetian. Their decorations were also very impressive!

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Their center area was filled with this beautiful display of white peacocks, sparkling branches and red poinsettias.

PENTAX ImageBoth striking and lovely!

PENTAX ImageOutside, they held a Christmas parade and tree lighting twice nightly.

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There were dancers, jesters, a queen and women in really, really weird costumes walking on stilts. But it was all fun to see. Especially when they lit up the huge tree.

A free concert, ice skaters, a photo booth and fun decorations added to the festive atmosphere.

After the parade, we wandered inside The Grand Shoppes, attached to The Venetian, and browsed in the windows.

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I love how the ceiling was painted to look like sky and the store-fronts are so fun and intriguing!

It certainly helped add some jolly to our holiday!

She Who Loves Beautiful Decorations

25 days 2011

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