Almond Joy Squares
Sometimes you feel like a nut… and sometimes you don’t need refined sugar. These Almond Joy Squares are my answer to that classic craving. They are naturally sweetened with dates and have that great chewy texture and almond crunch.
Almond Joy Squares
Date-sweetened version of almond joy bars, these are always a big hit! They are very easy to make. You can adjust the level of chocolate sweetness to your liking. I typically like to keep the chocolate semi-sweet.
Ingredients
Method
- Line an 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper.
- Combine base layer ingredients in a food processor. Pulse the food processor a few times, or process on low, for a minute or two (depending on strength of food processor). It’s done when ingredients start to adhere to each other. (When I process too long, the mixture will still work just fine but it gets oily and messy).
- Put the mixture into the 8×8 pan and pat it down firmly and evenly in the pan.
- Almonds – optional: roast the almonds before adding. Easy method to roast is in the microwave for about 60-90 seconds. Press the almonds on top of the base layer slightly to help hold them in place.
- Melt the chocolate in double boiler or in the microwave. I microwave in a pyrex measuring cup at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
- Pour melted chocolate on top of the two layers. Sprinkle with sea salt if using. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.
- Cut into 36 pieces using a serrated knife.
Notes
The easiest/quickest way to make these is to cover only the top with chocolate. If you want to have a little fun and get fancy as shown in the picture, you can cut the base layer/almonds into pieces – with a knife or a square or rectangular cookie cutter – and dip the whole piece in chocolate. Here is a tutorial on an easy method for dipping like a pro.
My preferred ratio of chocolate is about 60% unsweetened, 40% sweetened. I use date-sweetened chocolate chips (available at Whole Foods).
Unsweetened dark chocolate:
Pascha Organic Chocolate Chips
TCHO Dark & Bitter
Date-sweetened chocolate chips:
Just Date Organic Dark Chocolate Chips
I wanted this recipe and voila—you published it! Thank you.
So excited to have this recipe! Thank you!