Peppermint Coconut Bounty Bars

The holiday season is in full swing and you might have caught yourself spending more time in the kitchen...and maybe spending more time eating sweets or just thinking about it🤣We sure have! So we've been recreating some classics into better-for-you versions, sweetened 100% with natures candy (aka Joolies🌴). 

 

Bounty or Mound bars are the delicious chocolate candy, with a soft, sweet,  coconut filling🥥 but they're also loaded with refined sugar. We teamed up with @munchingwithmariyah to bring you a festive holiday treat that's vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free! You can check out Yasmeen's IG page here and her blog here for more delicious recipes😊

 

Ingredients you'll need:

1. 1. Gluten-Free Oats
      • This serves as the base for our bars. We recommend using quick or rolled oats. Some of our favorite gluten-free oat brands are Thrive Market and Bob's Red Mill. If you are grain-free, feel free to substitute this out for another nut or coconut flakes.
   2. Almonds
      • We recommend using raw almonds to avoid any added oils or salt! It also supports a healthy gut, Omega-3 levels, and help control blood sugar levels thanks to its slow-digesting properties 👏
   3. Cocoa Powder
      • This is where we get our yummy chocolate flavor from, of course! You can substitute for raw cacao powder if needed, but it is a little bitter. Regardless, you'll get an awesome pump of antioxidants!
   4. Joolies Cocoa Date Syrup 
      • The only natural sweetener needed. A decadent, vegan chocolate syrup that will remind you of indulgent Hersey's syrup. Plus, you still maintain all the nutrient and health benefits of a medjool date in the syrup form!
   5. Coconut Oil
      • You want this to be softened for the coconut filling, so briefly pop in the microwave (like 3-5 seconds).
   6. Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
      • If you only have sweetened coconut on hand, just reduce the amount of date or maple syrup you add into the coconut layer.
   7. Coconut Milk
      • An important part of the coconut layer! Be sure to use the full-fat version to get the creamy texture of a bounty bar we all love!
   8. Peppermint Extract
      • All you need is a dash to get a hint of mint!  
   9. Chocolate Chips
      • We recommend using a dark chocolate without fillers, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and stuff like that (it melts a whole ton easier without it and is much better for your health)! Some of our favorites are Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels and Hu dark chocolate gems 🍫

How To Store

These peppermint coconut bars are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and served chilled. They can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. 

You can also store the bars in the freezer within an airtight container. Lay them out on a sheet to initially freeze, then pop into a freezer-friendly container so they they won't stick to one another for one months.