These Homemade Almond Joy are a family favorite! They are so delicious and easy to make! My husband likes these better than the actual candy bar.
Homemade Almond Joy
If you are a fan of the rich chocolate, sweet coconut and crunchy nut of an Almond Joy candy bar, you are about to get a real treat. These Homemade Almond Joy are so incredibly addicting. By far my favorite homemade chocolates. The coconut filling is spot on with the real thing. You could easily use the same filling to make a mounds bar, just use dark instead of milk chocolate and leave out the almond.
Has anyone noticed how much candy bars have gone up in price lately!? I remember being able to get candy bars for a quarter; and it wasn’t that long ago. These are a great solution and you get a lot for your buck. Not to mention they are delicious and easy to make!
 Keep the Candy Coming
Now that we’ve got you thinking about candy in all its homemade goodness, check out some of these other candy-inspired dishes.
- Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are to die for, and they totally taste like the real thing!
- Snickers Apple Salad. Yes, you read that right. Snickers candy bars in a fruit salad. You have to try it to understand just how perfect this is.
- Cadbury Cream Egg Stuffed Cookies are the perfect place to hide your Cadbury Egg stash… inside another tasty sweet.
- Dipped Ritz Cookies with Caramel taste like a homemade Twix, while the peanut butter filled remind you of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
How to Make Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. white Karo corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 10 large marshmallows exactly 10 or the consistency is off
- 2 c. coconut - its better if you chop it more finely
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- roasted almonds
- 1 bag Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips they are worth the extra money
Instructions
- In a heavy sauce pan (over medium on the stove) heat syrup, marshmallows, and salt. Stir until marshmallows are melted.Â
- Continue to stir over heat for an additional minute. Remove from stove and add coconut and vanilla.
- Stir well and transfer to a bowl to cool in the fridge. The mixture needs to get cool enough that it can be rolled into balls.
- In the meantime, melt the chocolate chips. I like to do this by putting them in a metal bowl and placing the bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Roll the coconut mixture into small balls and press an almond into the top.
- Dip each one in chocolate then let cool on a chilled marble slap or on wax paper over a chilled cookie sheet.
- For Homemade Mounds: omit the almond and use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
michelle says
flavor was great, but very messy to make. the coconut mixture was cool enough to roll but when I put one in the chocolate it started to fall apart, so I spooned the chocolate on top, refrigerated until chocolate was hard, flipped them over and added more chocolate and refrigerated until hard. I followed instructions as written. I do agree they taste better then the real thing. I will be making these again and again.
michelle says
didn’t realize my first message posted. thanks for the suggestion.
michelle says
flavor was great, but very messy to make. the coconut mixture was cool enough to roll but when I put one in the chocolate it started to fall apart, so I spooned the chocolate on top, refrigerated until chocolate was hard, flipped them over and added more chocolate and refrigerated until hard. I followed instructions as written. I do agree they taste better then the real thing. I will be making these again and again. any suggestions would be helpful?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Maybe try chopping the coconut finer? If the flakes are too large they can fall apart easier. You want more surface area for the liquid to stick to.
michelle says
made again and they came out great. I think the first time I made I did not let the filling get cold enough, although they were still great…..but even better this time. these are a keeper. if I can rate them more then 5 stars I would.
Sonnie says
In your instructions in #1: You say to salt until the marshmallows are melted. Now, I am a salt lover, but in this case, I believe you meant to stir until the marshmallows are melted. Easy typo to make😊
Thank you for your recipes.
Emily Walker says
Thanks for that catch! All fixed!
Cathi Larios says
How many candies does this recipe make?
Echo Blickenstaff says
It makes approximately 24 candies. Thank you for asking!
Allison says
I love that I can make my favorite candy at home. Delicious!
Nellie Tracy says
Love the real thing, but also love these so much! Taste so similar, I absolutely love them!
Gloria W says
I put my regular bagged coconut in a chopper/grinder . Much easier to work with and they were great
Shari Carter says
Oh Lordy! What a shock to see that they do NOT contain condensed milk! I was sure when I saw them, and immediately began to salivate, that I couldn’t make them (well, EAT them) because they had condensed milk, my ultimate sin, but now that that’s been removed from my worry list, plug your ears so the flying pots and pans don’t disturb you! Oh, what “joy”…
Millie says
Is this sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Sweetened!
Amy Shelton says
I don’t know what I did wrong, but my coconut mixture came out watery. It’s probably because I used frozen coconut? What could I do next time to get it right?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I think the frozen coconut probably added the extra moisture. I would use un-frozen next time!
Ashley F says
Such a delicious candy! Love the flavors of coconut and chocolate together! These are perfect!
Jen says
These look like the perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth. Love it!
Krissy Allori says
This looks amazing! I must try them soon!
Melissa says
Delicious! My family loved these!
Emily says
Dude. Now I can eat Almond Joys all the time! What a fun recipe!
Joanne says
I made these tonight but I think I put in too many marshmallows. I doubled the recipe so i put in 10 large marshmallows. It is so sticky and hard that I can’t do anything with it. Help 😫 what do you suggest??
Favorite Family Recipes says
The recipe calls for 10 large marshmallows, so if you put in only 10 when you doubled it, that might be what caused the hardness and stickiness. It should have been 20 large marshmallows. Hope this helps!
Megan B says
I’m so excited to try these this weekend. Almond Joys are my faaaaavorite!
Erica says
Let us know what you think! 😀
becky davis says
how many ounces of chocolate chips? I always purchase a large bag at sam’s club.
Erica says
It’s a 1 lb bag (16 oz)
Marilyn Smith says
Can i use the frozen coconut for the recipe?It is shredded really fine.
Emily says
I haven’t tried frozen coconut, I usually do shredded.
atonya says
Im going to try this my daughter wants to make something for her try this would be perfect
Echo says
They are yummy! You and your daughter will love them!
Jessica says
These look so yummy!! I can’t wait to try them! I’m putting together a list of things to make as Christmas gifts on my blog and was wondering if you’d be okay with me including a picture with a link to your article. Thanks!
Echo says
Yes, of course! Thank you so much for asking!
Deloris says
Just “found” your blog and I’m loving it! Really appreciate this recipe as I’m always disappointed when that one almond is gone! Now I can add however many I want!
I liked Lindsay’s comments about chopping and adding them to the coconut mixture too.
Ann says
Hi I’m in Australia. We can buy dessicated or shredded coconut in packets at the supermarket. Which one would be required for this recipe. I’m dying to make it!
Erica says
Go with the shredded…. 🙂
Joanne says
I found putting candy in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or over night helps when dipping. If you add a little Crisco shorting to the melted chocolate it helps the chocolate to stick and coat better. I use chopsticks to roll and remove candy and place them on Parchment paper on cookie sheets then back to the refrigerator to set. I put them in a plastic wear container and keep them in the refrigerator. Hope this helps. Can’t wait to make these.
Gail says
Hello, I’m happy to found this recipe because I love almond joy, but unfortunately it’s not available here in the Philippines. I’m excited to try this! But I’m confused what coconut did you use, is it “fresh shredded coconut” or the ones “packed sweetened coconut in supermarkets”? 🙂
Erica says
We used the packed sweetened but I am sure fresh would still be awesome!
Anne says
Erica, thanks for this recipe! I always thought the milk chocolate was too sweet, so I used half Ghiradelli milk chocolate and half Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips and they came out PERFECT! Thanks again for making my (and my co-workers!) Valentine’s Day a bit sweeter <3
Cindy says
For a great dipping tool, I use a plastic fork and break out the two middle tines, it works great.
Alison says
I want to try these but I am confused on what type of coconut to use. Is it the shredded coconut?
Erica says
yes, shredded coconut
marian says
for the person in austrailia 10 marshmallows weigh 66 grams
Linda says
How do you roast your almonds?
Rose says
I substituted 1cup mini marshmallows for 10 regular and it worked
fine.
Lauren says
How much does 10 marshmallows weigh? I can’t get them where I live so I have to make them from scratch.
Thanks!
Lauren
Emily says
I’m not sure, try looking up how many ounces are in a bag and divide that by the number of marshmallows in a bag.
Emily says
Then times that by 10.
marian says
66 grams of marshmallow is equal to 10 large marshmallows. Hope this helps!
Melissa says
I made these last night. They were delicious but so sticky! What would you suggest for the next time?
Emily says
I have to freeze the coconut filling, you could try tossing each ball in a little powdered sugar.
Steffani says
I made these last night and they turned out great! They taste even better after chilling them overnight! I did have trouble rolling the balls in chocolate, the chocolate coating wasnt as smooth as I wanted, any suggestions to make this easier?
Emily says
I usually just use melted chocolate chips and use a fork or spoon to roll it around. You don’t want to get the chocolate too hot or it gets grainy.
Sherry says
Hi Therese, I’ve not seen either “normal” or miniature marshmallows here. They’re more like a “mound” of marshmallow, somewhere inbetween lol.
Therese says
Sherry: I think she means “normal” marshmallows, the kind you toast over the campfire. Not miniature marshmallows, that is.
Therese says
You could form the coconut around an almond or half an almond before you roll the center in the chocolate and put another almond on top.
I have coconut sitting in my freezer. I think I have to make these.
Sherry says
10 Large marshmallows – I’ve moved to Australia and don’t think I’ve ever seen “large marshmallows” as I know them in the states. Could someone weigh 10 large marshmallows with a food scale and post here please?
Katrina says
My boyfriend and I made this and they were SOOO sticky! But the mixture is coming out good, thank you very much for teaching us a new snack! 😀
Joanne says
How did you make them less sticky?? Mine is so sticky I can’t do anything with it.
Linda says
Mine was to I threw them in the trash how do you make them less sticky
carol says
did u use jumbo marshmellows OR just the big marshmellows?
Carol Pyatt says
which marshmallow did you use? The reg.or jumbo?
Echo says
Use the regular size marshmallows – not jumbo and not mini. Thank you for asking!
Ginger says
I am wondeing what type of coconut is used, sweetened or unsweetened?
Emily says
I used sweetened.
Emily says
@Cathy- I am not sure what Candiquik is… I am sure if you have used it for chocolate coating on other things it would be fine. Let me know how it turns out!
cathy says
Just wondering if it would work to dip them in chocolate Candiquik instead of chocolate chips?
Donna says
I'll make the mounds…family favorites! Thank you, great recipes!
Suzi D. says
Thanks so much! I'll be trying these soon!
Emily says
@Suzi- I make the chocolate the way it describes in the post and I use a spoon to roll the coconut pieces around and then spoon them out onto the wax paper. I hope that helps!
Suzi D. says
These look great! Just wondering, what is the best method for dipping them in the chocolate without making an ugly mess? Thanks!
Diane Grinager says
Slotted spoon works good for me
sandra says
try using a tooth pick, freezing them ,they hold together better
Echo says
Thank you for the tip!
SpAzzGiRL says
Featured you in our Food Trends article this week! Just love this recipe. http://is.gd/WKSTQg
Stephanie May says
I am whipping up a batch right now. My kids are going to be a smilin'. Thanks for sharing!
The Quinn Family says
my teenage daughter made these, they were scrumptious!
Lindsay says
I just made these last night. Love them I like a lot of almond, so I chopped them up and added them to the coconut mixture. Turned out perfect.
Fanovi says
We are an entire flaimy trying to be gluten, sugar & soy free for many reasons. We thought we would never be able to have cookies again, then I stumbled on this site. My kids and I just made these this morning. They are amazing!! Next time we will try with Stevia.
lezlee says
Your blog is seriously amazing!!!! I am going to send your link out to several of my friends! I can't wait to try out your recipes! I was looking up favorite recipes and your blog came up. I went through several and yours by FAR is my favorite!!! Please keep adding!!!!!!
Emily says
@Lindsay- I actually did the same thing last time I made them, it was so good that way! 🙂
*Ashleigh* says
yeah, I have never been an avid foodie blog follower. Until NOW! I am absolutely infatuated with your blog and LOVE everything I have ever made!! I find myself oozing to all my friends about your awesomeness all day long! I find myself linking to your blog from mine ALL the TIME! Thank you thank you!! For making my life so much tastier!!!
Rachelle says
This sounds rather delicious and pretty simple too. I'm excited to try making these at home. Thanks for sharing!
Erica says
@Ashleigh- Wow THANK YOU for the nice compliment!!!! I am so happy to hear you have liked our recipes! Thanks for spreading the word about us. Come back often!
Linda Whitledge says
I heat veg wax and add to my chocolate it make a softer chocolate dip for my candy and I pre freeze my candy Easier to dip and quick dry I make all kinds of candy. I did 12 different ones last year as gifts. I also fo strawberries with differant coatings and nuts
Rebecca says
Yum! Thanks a TON 🙂
texas is for lovers says
hello delicious
Emily says
2 cups coconut BEFORE you chop it more finely. Good question! 🙂
Gretchen says
YUM! I am definitely going to try this! I love your blog!
Mike and Wendy says
This is perfect! I've always had an 'issue' with both candy bars because I prefer them without the almond and I don't like dark chocolate! Now I can have it my way! Thanks!
Angelyn says
This looks great! Thank you. One clarification- the 2 c. of coconut is that before you chop it fine or after, or does it matter?