Happy Pear’s Bounty Chocolates (V/GF)

 I decided to try Vegan Bounty Bars from the Happy Pear.  I highly recommend checking out their Youtube channel for fantastic, quick vegan recipes.  These chocolates are super decadent and are great for hot summer days when you want a sweet treat.  I made these in the evening when it had already cooled off, as you do have to use the stove top for a couple of minutes.  These chocolates keep really well in either the fridge or the freezer and I highly recommend trying them.  But I must warn you, they won’t last long! 😉

Prep time: 15 mins

Cooling time: 30 mins

Makes about 20 small chocolates or 10 small bars

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Add melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a medium mixing bowl and stir together.
2. Add in shredded coconut and almond meal and mix until all of the coconut is coated with the maple-coconut oil mixture.  It should form a crumbly dough-like consistency
3. Prepare a baking sheet with some parchment paper.  Dump the coconut mixture onto the pan and press it down with your hands until it forms an even layer about 1 inch thick.  Try to form it into a square – the Happy Pear lads used the edge of a knife to get straight edges, but I just used my hands.  You want it to be square so that it will be easy to cut into bars or squares later.
4. Put into the freezer for about 20 mins to firm up.
5. While the coconut base is in the freezer, melt your chocolate chips.  You can do this over low heat in a sauce pan, stirring frequently.  Or use the “bain marie” method to ensure the chocolate does not burn.  Boil water in a small sauce pan and place a heat resistant bowl over top the pan with your chocolate chips in the bowl.  Stir occasionally and remove from heat when the chocolate chips are completely melted.
6. Once the coconut base has been in the freezer for 20 mins, cut in to small bars or squares.  I cut mine into about 20 squares.
7. Cover each square with melted chocolate.  I used a spoon to pour over top and I even dipped the bottom of some of the squares as well.  I used quite a lot of chocolate on the first ones by accident so I didn’t end up having quite enough for the last couple squares.
8. Put in the freezer again for about 10 mins so that the chocolate solidifies.  Store in the fridge or the freezer.