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Almond Joy Squares

5 from 2 votes
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.
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Servings: 36
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Layer
  • 1.5 cups pitted dates
  • 1.5 cups cashews
  • 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 tbsp miso optional
  • 2 tsp vanilla
Middle Layer
  • 36 almonds
Top Layer
  • 160 g chocolate chips or any melting chocolate a little less than 1 cup
  • 1 Flaked sea salt optional

Method
 

  1. Line an 8"x8" pan with parchment paper.
  2. 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).
  3. Put the mixture into the 8x8 pan and pat it down firmly and evenly in the pan.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Pour melted chocolate on top of the two layers. Sprinkle with sea salt if using. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.
  7. 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 into pieces with a knife or a square or rectangular cookie cutter and dip the whole square in chocolate.
My preferred ratio of chocolate is about 60% unsweetened, 40% sweetened. I use date-sweetened chocolate chips (available at Whole Foods).
Unsweetened:
https://a.co/d/igQTnfM
https://a.co/d/7GI3kFu
Date-sweetened:
https://a.co/d/5IAJhQd