When Christmas is in the air, it makes me want to whip up something sweet and fun in the kitchen. Even better when that something is healthy and gluten-free like these coconut and almond dark chocolate bars.
These beautiful bars are sheer happiness in your mouth: a layer of toasted coconut flakes, coconut oil, almonds, and chia seeds topped with a thin layer of delicate chocolate and sprinkled with more chopped almonds. Yum.
My husband, John, loves coconut, and I love the many health benefits of coconut oil: strengthening the immune system, preventing heart disease, improving digestion, and contributing to healthy skin (to name just a few!). My daughter, Nicole, has used coconut oil with great success for moisturizing dry skin during the winter months. But coconut oil works even better when taken internally. These bars are the perfect way to add a little coconut oil to your diet, and they are super-easy to prepare.
John and I decided to make them tonight while the kids started bringing down all of our Christmas decorations from the attic. I can hardly believe Christmas is only eighteen days away, and I’m looking forward to my family’s annual expedition to find the perfect Christmas tree.
But back to the kitchen and the Coconut Almond Dark Chocolate Bars. I am not kidding when I say these are ridiculously quick and easy to prepare, as long as you are willing to wait for them to set in the freezer.
First, John and I toast a cup of unsweetened coconut flakes in the oven until lightly browned. This takes just five minutes. Next, we blend almond chunks and a little coconut oil in a super blender until the mixture is very smooth. (If you are concerned about nuts manufactured on shared equipment with gluten containing products, Nuts.com prominently labels which products of theirs are certified gluten-free). We toss in the chia seeds and toasted coconut flakes and pulse the mixture several times. When all of the ingredients are mixed beautifully together, we pour into a pan lined with wax paper and sprinkle a little salt on top.
All that is left to do is to place the pan in the freezer for thirty minutes. While this is happening, feel free to rock out to Christmas carols on the radio. Really, these bars would make a delicious treat while decorating the Christmas tree or at your holiday party. Or you might even sneak a few during breakfast, and, hey, no need to feel guilty – they’re actually good for you!
Once the mixture has hardened, I melt chocolate in a small pot and drizzle over the frozen coconut and almonds. Then I sprinkle more chopped almonds on top and put the pan back in the freezer for another five minutes.
And they’re done!
For anyone who loves coconut, these bars are sure to satisfy your coconut craving. They are light and refreshing: not too sweet, not too crunchy. Just right for an afternoon snack or healthy dessert with your steaming mug of hot chocolate. I like to accompany mine with a bowl of fresh berries. Now to admire the Christmas village my kids have set up on the fireplace mantle.
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- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1½ cups almond slices
- ¾ cup coconut oil
- 1 tblsp. chia seeds
- sea salt
- 3.5 oz. dark chocolate
- *if you are concerned about nuts manufactured on shared equipment with gluten containing products, Nuts.com prominently labels which products of theirs are certified gluten-free.
- Preheat oven to 350 ºF.
- Toast coconut flakes in a pan in the oven until lightly browned, about five minutes.
- Line a 9x12 baking dish with wax paper.
- Blend almonds and coconut oil in a super blender or food processor until very smooth. Add chia seeds and coconut flakes. Pulse a few times.
- Pour into lined pan. Sprinkle with salt.
- Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Melt chocolate in a small pot and drizzle over frozen coconut and almonds. Sprinkle chopped almonds on top and place back in the freezer for another 5 minutes. Cut into squares.
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Sophie Bowns says
They look absolutely gorgeous!
5 stars! 😉
Barbara says
Thank you so much, Sophie!
Laurel Regan says
These sound delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Barbara says
I can’t get over how easy it is to make. Just store them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve.
Donna L. Ward says
No sugar! Wow – and looks really tasty – this is my next recipe try out – and being a past professional cook – I tend to be picky about recipes! Great info, thank you 🙂
Barbara says
Thanks, Donna. Enjoy them.
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
What a wonderful treat, Bianca! I love that it’s unsweetened — I can see the flavors “doing all the talking” in this one. Looks delicious! ♥
Barbara says
Thank you. Spoken like a true foodie. 🙂
vegetarianmamma (Cindy) says
Thank you so much for sharing, these look great! I can’t wait to see what you post next time! Thanks for linking up with out Gluten Free Fridays party!
-Cindy
Barbara says
Thanks. We appreciate your hosting the link up. 🙂
Bethany says
Yum! This looks amazing. Thanks for linking up on my blog!
Barbara says
Hey Bethany, Thanks!
Jane @ littlesugarsnaps says
Really, when we can have food this tasty, why do we need sugar? I watched the Jamie Oliver Sugar Rush program recently and it’s really opened my eyes to not only cutting down on the sugar in my family’s diet but being very open about it, so that when they eventually leave home they don’t fall into bad eating habits. Thus kind of recipe would be sure to please my bunch.
Sammi @ Grounded & Surrounded says
Mmmmm! These remind me of my mom’s Toffee Bars…only WAY healthier! I love every single ingredient you used and they seem so simple to make. Thank you! Pinning!!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
These sound delicious! And so easy to make! I don’t make a lot of desserts but I will try these! 🙂
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Yes please! These look so good! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays linky party!
Speed Reading says
May I know the percentage of dark chocolate you used in this ingredientplease?
Barbara says
Hi, I have a 3 1/2 ounce chocolate bar. 🙂
Sancy Suraj says
I love how you use coconut oil for this. There have been heaps of new research showing the benefits of coconut oil!
Barbara says
Yes, you bet. I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Betty says
Can you please why you would that much coconut oil and can you subsitute canola oil? Thanks
Barbara says
Excellent question. I use coconut oil in this recipe because of all the wonderful health benefits. Coconut oil freezes well (canola oil probably won’t work as a substitute). If you’re a coconut fan, these bars are not only healthy but delicious too. Think frozen almond joy. 🙂
Have a great weekend, Betty.