Vegan Almond Joy? Not quite, but if you have a craving for coconut and chocolate, these vegan treats fill the void, with a little fruity flavor as a bonus.
I didn’t intend to post a recipe today, but my daughter and I had so much fun making these natural “Fauxmond Joy” candies that I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. The photos are Halloweenish because yesterday was Halloween (I’m always behind the times), but the treats are good any time of the year.
Before I get to the recipe, I have a few announcements to make and a bunch of thanks to hand out:
First of all, the VegNews Veggie Awards issue is out, and for the fourth time you have voted FatFree Vegan Kitchen as your favorite blog. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to all of you who took the time to answer that loooong survey back in August. It warms my heart to know I have such devoted fans. Thank you! You are the best!
Also thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Shape magazine contest. I didn’t win, but I’m thrilled that this vegan blog came in second in a mainstream publication’s contest. Go vegans! Another contest I did win (and didn’t even know I was nominated for) was the Vegetarian Health Institute’s award for Best Healthy Blog. Thank you to everyone who voted for Fatfree Vegan Kitchen; it’s a big honor!
One more thing and I’ll finally get to the recipe: Vegan Holiday Kitchen, Nava Atlas’s latest cookbook, was released today (and is selling fast). If you’ve missed all my bragging about it on Facebook, let me tell you that the reason this is a big deal for me is that I took the photos for the book and my name even appears on the cover. (This is a big “buy one for everyone in my family” moment for me!) I’ll be sharing a recipe in a few days, but you can get a preview of four of the recipes and photos in today’s New York Times; click on each photo in the slideshow to see it full-sized. (Yes, the New York Times! Please wait for me while I call my mother!)
Okay, I’m back and ready to talk about the recipe. 🙂
Over the weekend my daughter mentioned that she loved Almond Joy candy bars. I did not know this. I did know that she went through a period a few years ago when she decided to be vegetarian rather than vegan at birthday parties, Halloween, and just generally everywhere candy or ice cream was present. After about a year, she came back around to being vegan on her own–which I think is the way you have to become vegan.
Anyway, she said that she missed Almond Joy, and I said it would be easy to make a vegan version (and, of course, it’s been done). But I wanted my vegan Almond Joys to be a little lower in sugar and contain less chocolate so I came up with this version which, truth be told, tastes like the original…only if you’ve never had one! Still, if you have a craving for something coco-nutty and chocolaty, these fill the void, with a little fruity, prune flavor as a bonus. (Thanks to Facebook fan Lynn S. for suggesting the name Chocolate Nuggets.)
Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy
Ingredients
- 1 cup D’Noir prunes or medjool dates about 16 dried prunes
- 3/4 cup flaked or shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 24 raw almonds
- 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips dairy-free kind, optional
Instructions
- Put the prunes or dates, coconut, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder into the food processor and blend until you have a sticky blob. Divide the blob and process again briefly to make sure that ingredients are well-distributed. If the mixture doesn’t seem sticky enough, you can add more prunes or dates (but prunes should already be very sticky).
- Scrape the blob out onto a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and flatten it till it’s about 1-inch thick. Keep it covered and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
- Mix the confectioners’ sugar and the tablespoon of cocoa powder on a dinner plate. Scoop out a heaping teaspoon of the coconut mixture, form into an oval shape, press an almond into the middle, and cover it with coconut mixture. Roll each nugget (or as many as you want) in cocoa/confectioners’ sugar, and place on a plate. Repeat about 23 times.
- You can serve them immediately or add a chocolate squiggle. Place the nuggets into the freezer for a few minutes while you gently heat the chocolate chips (I used a microwave). As soon as the chips are just barely melted, scrape the chocolate into a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe chocolate onto each nugget.
- Nuggets keep well covered at room temperature for about 2 days. Refrigerate if you need to keep them longer.
Notes
Nutritional info is approximate.
janet @ the taste space
November 1, 2011 at 11:36 amCongratulations on all your achievements! There is a reason I keep coming back to your blog and recipes – they are great! 🙂
Gretchen
November 1, 2011 at 11:39 amThis is a much better Halloween candy option than Snickers!
Samantha
November 1, 2011 at 12:02 pmThe New York Times! That IS very exciting! Congrats! And, of course, congrats on the awards. It’s always well deserved.
Also, those chocolates are making me drool. 🙂
Angela in Cincinnati
November 1, 2011 at 12:14 pmCongratulations Susan! I recommend your blog to ANYONE I know who is trying to improve their diet. It’s good for vegans and non-vegans alike because your food is so universally delicious! You have helped ME so much to learn about great ways to prepare delicious, low/no fat vegan food. Your blog is even on my “bookmarks bar”… a sign of how often I seek out your recipes/advice. I’m currently in the middle of a 30-day veggie/fruit juice fast, but I’m definitely going to make this recipe for Christmas.. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE almond joys.
Tiffany
November 1, 2011 at 12:16 pmMany congratulations, Susan! You deserve every bit of the recognition. 🙂
I love the cute name of these treats. I hadn’t thought to substitute dates with prunes, but what a good idea.
Hannah
November 1, 2011 at 12:27 pmYou are such a stud! Congrats on everything!
Marian Hamilton
November 1, 2011 at 12:37 pmThese sound so YUMBO!! can’t WAIT to make them!!!
And I am SO PROUD of you, Susan – you justly deserve each and EVERY ONE of the awards! I have a copy of Nava’s book being sent to me via Amazon right now! (I just wish the nutritional info was included w/ her recipes….. you’ve spoiled me!)
Philippa Sonnichsen
November 1, 2011 at 12:47 pmCongratulations, Susan, on all your successes! Thank you for helping to make a vegan diet mainstream. I think it’s the best and easiest way to save our health care system in the US and improve the environment globally; and the more you do, the more the politicians will take notice, and the easier it will be for people to adapt to this positive lifestyle. Bravo!!!
Jill Princehouse
November 1, 2011 at 12:48 pmSusan: the only way we have to repay you for all the very wonderful recipes you send our way is with words of thanks and appreciation. No matter how long it takes to vote for you, I’ll always do it. Congratulations on your wins. You’re the best and deserve every one of them
Moritz
November 1, 2011 at 12:51 pmWow, this recipe looks so so so delicious 🙂
Yesterday was Halloween, but today is world vegan day!
Did you know that very often, consumer perception and reality of our food’s environmental impact often differs essentially?
I wrote a blog article on this, “Food Footprints: Subjective Consumer Perception vs. Profound LCA Data”:
http://www.knowtheflow.com/2011/food-footprints-subjective-consumer-perception-vs-profound-lca-data/
Apey Lee's Homespun Designs
November 1, 2011 at 1:33 pmYUM!
alua
November 1, 2011 at 2:02 pmI don’t know the ‘originals’ but these look fabulous. I’m going to add these to my list of Christmas treats to make (my annual plan to a Christmas-cookie baking session which I *will* make a reality this year).
Congrats on getting published in the NYTimes!
Nava Atlas’s book is on my wish list (will buy it either with birthday or Christmas money), looking forward to it and admiring your photographs in it too!
moonwatcher
November 1, 2011 at 2:09 pmHi Susan!!
The New York Times! Get out! That is just great–I just went to the page and they have nice photos of your photos. Wonderful. And congrats on your wins, and coming in second on the Shape survey, too. I am so happy for you, and for all of us, really. These are wins for anyone trying to eat healthy.
The treats look gorgeous. First time I’ve been seriously tempted since I’ve been on my extremely low fat way of eating to help with the MS. Coconut, and almond joys, were my favorite candy. But the Swank diet says coconut is “forbidden,” too much saturated fat for our already saturated brains, I guess. So I will content myself with the mouth watering pictures. Maybe they will be worth a thousand bites, as well as a thousand words!! lol
xoxo
moonwatcher
GetSkinnyGoVegan
November 1, 2011 at 2:52 pmWow. How Super healthy!!!! And I might sub cocoa nibs for the chips but looks super cute, healthy, yummy, with some dark coffee….as a treat!
Heather Bolestridge
November 1, 2011 at 3:03 pmYUM!!!!
lex
November 1, 2011 at 10:42 pmYou have a typo ‘plums’ instead of prunes in the main description of the recipe that threw me for a sec! I want to eat those NOW, they look so good! You can also use Wax Orchard’s Fudge as a fat free chocolate spread.
SusanV
November 1, 2011 at 10:49 pmThanks for catching that, though it’s not actually a typo because prunes are dried plums. But you’re right that it’s confusing, so I’ve changed it. I’ll have to look for that fudge–I’ve never heard of it.
Alexandra
November 2, 2011 at 4:25 amI have been reading your blog for years, not because I was vegan, but because of your writing and presentation. But recently I took the plunge and became a no-added fat vegan. This way of eating has involved some major changes in thinking and habit and culture. Your blog is an invaluable tool for this new way of life; and your recipes taste good and seem practical. Congratulations, and Thank you.
Ivy
November 2, 2011 at 9:57 amCongratulations, Susan! And I had read that E had decided to be vegetarian anywhere there was candy and ice cream lol, but didn’t realize she had come back around to being vegan–on her own. That’s wonderful 🙂
Dawn
November 2, 2011 at 10:44 amYay for you!! I recommend your blog to folks all the time. It is great to see healthy eating being celebrated. And the photos look so yummy.
Bianca- Vegan Crunk
November 2, 2011 at 2:39 pmCongrats on everything, Susan V!! I got my review copy of Nava’s book last week, and was so thrilled to see your name on the cover!!!!! I hate that I missed you at Vida Vegan Con, but I’m sure I’ll see you there in 2013.
P.S. These little almond joys look delicious!!
Gena
November 4, 2011 at 5:06 amThese look joyous indeed.
Gena
November 4, 2011 at 5:07 amAnd PS — I am THRILLED you won the Veggie Award, which you deserve more than ever. You’re amazing, Susan!
Jane
November 4, 2011 at 1:45 pmCongratulations on all the achievements! I love that these are made with prunes, as dates aren’t always easy for me to find!
radioactivegan
November 5, 2011 at 3:51 pmCongrats on the book! The pictures all look great (at least the ones I’ve been able to see).
The recipe looks great. I haven’t had an almond joy (maybe ever? certainly not in a long time), but I’m looking forward to trying these!
Kara
November 6, 2011 at 2:45 pmthese look to die for! thanks for the recipe!
Christin
November 7, 2011 at 4:12 pmCongratulations on your blog recognitions! I just came across your blog and I will be following along. I’m not vegan but I definitely love my veggies and am looking to cook healthier foods after overindulging with Halloween Candy for the past week!
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner
November 7, 2011 at 5:52 pmYour recipes are the best!!! I love these! YUM!
Drisana
November 8, 2011 at 3:47 pmHi Susan – these treats look great, and in addition to Halloween, I think they’d bring a little joy to any of the holidays coming up! Thanks for sharing!
maria de lourdes araujo
February 25, 2012 at 3:47 pmOLÁ!!!!!
AMEI ESTOU LOUCA PRA FAZER E ME DELICIAR MANDE SEMPRE NOVIDADES OK? TODAS AS RECEITAS SÃO INCRIVEIS . QUERO AVISAR QUE PORMOTIVO DE TER PERDIDO UMA VISÃO E TER QUE FICAR POR MUITO TEMPO SEM ATUALIZAR MEU BLOG TUDO INDICA QUE O MESMO FOI DESATIVADO ,. ME AGURDE COM NOVO BLOG E RECEITAS BEIJOS
Shannon @ RecipesMe
April 21, 2012 at 10:53 amThses nuggets look delicious. I’m going to have to make these very soon 🙂
monica
October 10, 2013 at 12:12 pmMaking these again today! So October-y!
I leave out the confectioners, and around here we call them “Rawmond Joys”
Thanks for the recipe
Benefits Of Juicing
March 29, 2014 at 9:51 amI have just made these and they are delicious! I have try adding dried prunes to taste more fruity flavor and contribute around half the calories of dates. Thank you for the lovely recipe. They will be coming out again at Christmas definitely! :)- See more at my website.
Sharon
August 12, 2016 at 9:28 amI’ve been wanting to try these for awhile because I used to love Almond Joys. But I’m not particularly fond of dates or prunes and I was afraid there might be too much of a fruity flavor. However, I’ve used your recipes long enough that I know even if I don’t think the flavors will come out good–they always do. So I took the plunge & made these today using medal dates. (If the recipe was from anyone else I would probably still be sitting on the fence wondering if I should try it or not.)
There were so many people congratulating you in the comments or saying how good the nuggets looked, that were were very few true reviews. So I had to write to say these are great! I made them for a family dinner tonight & have not put a chocolate drizzle on them yet–but I may do that. They would probably also be very good–but less healthy–totally dipped in chocolate. I agree with the other reviewer that the confectioners sugar probably could be left off–I didn’t try that this time. The coconut/date mixture is so good, I can imagine it in may other dessert forms. Thanks for another great recipe.
Susan Voisin
August 12, 2016 at 10:12 amThank you for giving them a shot and offering a review. I’m so glad they lived up to your belief in me! 🙂
Rachel
October 19, 2018 at 7:17 pmCongratulations! I Try to avoid coconut, Was wondering if I could use sesame seeds instead, might be a little stickier, hmmm, I feel a plan forming. Thank you
Martha Osborne
November 5, 2018 at 1:06 pmSusan, I am making this today. I bought 16 medjoul dates. I’m pitting them and chopping into 4-6 pieces each before putting them in the fprocessor, and I already have 1 cup’s worth and have 7 left. Should I do all 16, or just the cup measure? I’m waiting on your reponse before proceeding with the recipe. Thank you! (I’m thinking these might be a good gift for friends and family during the Holiday Season…..so I ‘m trying it out now….) THANK YOU!
Susan Voisin
November 5, 2018 at 1:20 pmI would just do a cup’s worth. Hope you enjoy it, Martha!
Martha Osborne
November 5, 2018 at 5:05 pmSusan, I went ahead with the 1 cup of cut-up madjoul dates and it was perfecct! These turned out great! THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE!!!!! OH, and when it came time to clean the chocolate out of the pastry bag….what a mess!!!…I sacrificed a new toothbrush and it was the perfect tool! When everything is dry, including the toothbrush, I’ll put it away in a baggie with the tooth brush for using next time. Worked great!