• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Simply delicious oil-free vegan recipes

  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Ridiculously Easy Recipes
    • Recipes by Tag
    • Recipe Box
  • About Me
    • Press
  • NewsBites
  • Shop!
  • Website

Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy

November 1, 2011 By Susan Voisin 43 Comments
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy.

Gluten Free
Soy Free
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

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.

Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy

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!

Vegan Holiday KitchenOne 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!)

Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy

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
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box

Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy

Gluten Free
Soy Free
I normally use Medjool dates in treats like this, but this time I decided to use dried prunes, which give them a much more fruity flavor and contribute around half the calories of dates. Dates would probably make them more authentic-tasting, so feel free to use them if you like.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 24 nuggets
Author Susan Voisin

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

Nutrition (per serving, no chocolate): 38 calories, 12 calories from fat, 1.4g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 7.8mg sodium, 76.3mg potassium, 6.8g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 4.1g sugar, <1g protein, 1.2 points. (Nutrition data uses prunes and sweetened, shredded coconut.)
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy
Amount Per Serving (1 nugget)
Calories 47 Calories from Fat 17
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.9g3%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 8mg0%
Potassium 76.3mg2%
Carbohydrates 7.9g3%
Fiber 1.1g5%
Sugar 4.1g5%
Protein 0g0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional info is approximate.

Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Vegan
Keyword low-sugar, vegan almond joy
Have you made this recipe?Mention @SusanFFVK and tag #fatfreevegankitchen in your photos on Instagram.
Share on Facebook Pin This Recipe Share by Email
Please Pin and share!
Chocolate-Almond Nuggets of Joy: Vegan Almond Joy, but healthy! If you have a craving for coconut and chocolate, these vegan treats fill the void, with a little fruity flavor as a bonus. #vegan #wfpb

Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: Eat-to-Live, Gluten-free, Halloween, Higher-fat, Holidays, Soy-free

Get NewsBites!

Sign up for our newsletter to receive new recipes & tips by email!

Privacy Policy
Previous Post: « What the Heck is Nutritional Yeast?
Next Post: Ethiopian-Spiced Pumpkin Bisque »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. janet @ the taste space

    November 1, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Congratulations on all your achievements! There is a reason I keep coming back to your blog and recipes – they are great! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Gretchen

    November 1, 2011 at 11:39 am

    This is a much better Halloween candy option than Snickers!

    Reply
  3. Samantha

    November 1, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    The 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. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Angela in Cincinnati

    November 1, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Congratulations 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.

    Reply
  5. Tiffany

    November 1, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Many 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.

    Reply
  6. Hannah

    November 1, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    You are such a stud! Congrats on everything!

    Reply
  7. Marian Hamilton

    November 1, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    These 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!)

    Reply
  8. Philippa Sonnichsen

    November 1, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Congratulations, 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!!!

    Reply
  9. Jill Princehouse

    November 1, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    Susan: 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

    Reply
  10. Moritz

    November 1, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Wow, 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/

    Reply
  11. Apey Lee's Homespun Designs

    November 1, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    YUM!

    Reply
  12. alua

    November 1, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    I 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!

    Reply
  13. moonwatcher

    November 1, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Hi 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

    Reply
  14. GetSkinnyGoVegan

    November 1, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Wow. 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!

    Reply
  15. Heather Bolestridge

    November 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    YUM!!!!

    Reply
  16. lex

    November 1, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    You 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.

    Reply
    • SusanV

      November 1, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      Thanks 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.

      Reply
  17. Alexandra

    November 2, 2011 at 4:25 am

    I 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.

    Reply
  18. Ivy

    November 2, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Congratulations, 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 🙂

    Reply
  19. Dawn

    November 2, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Yay 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.

    Reply
  20. Bianca- Vegan Crunk

    November 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Congrats 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!!

    Reply
  21. Gena

    November 4, 2011 at 5:06 am

    These look joyous indeed.

    Reply
  22. Gena

    November 4, 2011 at 5:07 am

    And PS — I am THRILLED you won the Veggie Award, which you deserve more than ever. You’re amazing, Susan!

    Reply
  23. Jane

    November 4, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Congratulations on all the achievements! I love that these are made with prunes, as dates aren’t always easy for me to find!

    Reply
  24. radioactivegan

    November 5, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Congrats 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!

    Reply
  25. Kara

    November 6, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    these look to die for! thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  26. Christin

    November 7, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Congratulations 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!

    Reply
  27. Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner

    November 7, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Your recipes are the best!!! I love these! YUM!

    Reply
  28. Drisana

    November 8, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Hi 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!

    Reply
  29. maria de lourdes araujo

    February 25, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    OLÁ!!!!!

    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

    Reply
  30. Shannon @ RecipesMe

    April 21, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Thses nuggets look delicious. I’m going to have to make these very soon 🙂

    Reply
  31. monica

    October 10, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    Making these again today! So October-y!

    I leave out the confectioners, and around here we call them “Rawmond Joys”

    Thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  32. Benefits Of Juicing

    March 29, 2014 at 9:51 am

    I 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.

    Reply
  33. Sharon

    August 12, 2016 at 9:28 am

    I’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.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      August 12, 2016 at 10:12 am

      Thank you for giving them a shot and offering a review. I’m so glad they lived up to your belief in me! 🙂

      Reply
  34. Rachel

    October 19, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    Congratulations! 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

    Reply
  35. Martha Osborne

    November 5, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Susan, 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!

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 5, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      I would just do a cup’s worth. Hope you enjoy it, Martha!

      Reply
    • Martha Osborne

      November 5, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Susan, 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!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to My Kitchen!

Susan VoisinI'm Susan Voisin, and I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based dishes with no added oil. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Find It Fast

  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Ridiculously Easy Recipes
  • Weight Watchers Recipes
  • Recipes by Tag (ingredient, gluten-free, etc.)

Find a Recipe

Allergens

All of my recipes are vegan, dairy-free, and fish free. To find recipes free of other allergens, click on an icon below.

Gluten FreeNut FreeSugar FreeSoy Free

Footer

Holiday Desserts

Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies - No Vegan Butter

Vegan Snickerdoodles – Soft, Chewy, and Oil-free Cookies

Blueberry-Applesauce Cake Bars

Blueberry Applesauce Cake Bars

Vegan Irish Cream Cheesecake

Vegan Irish Cream Cheesecake

10 Healthy Vegan Christmas Dessert Recipes from FatFree Vegan Kitchen

12 Healthy Vegan Christmas Dessert Recipes

See More Dessert Recipes

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Photos, original recipes, and text © Susan Voisin. All rights reserved. Do not republish content without permission.

Nutritional information is approximate and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. This site has no affiliation with Weight Watchers™️ and cannot guarantee accuracy of Points™️.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2021 · Susan Voisin · Privacy Policy· Log in