It's Alive....It's ALIVE!!!

I think we have reached a point in our relationship where we can agree to be honest with each other.  I mean, really, I have invited you into my kitchen, my (very messy) sewing room, my garden, etc. I owe you some honesty.

Let's start at the beginning.  I have been wanting some coconut and chocolate for about a week.  Mounds bars are one of my favorite candy bars, but just like most things, I can't bring myself to buy them because of all the junk in them.  So, I've been ignoring the need.  Nope, not working.  Then I decided how about some chocolate graham crackers and with coconut sprinkles.  Nope - no good...not even close.

Fine.  Today I'll just make some mounds.  I have that coconut in the cabinet that says sell by 10-16-12 anyway....that should probably find a home....in my tummy. ;)

I found this recipe online that apparently came from a Rachel Ray (cringe) magazine.  Look at her pictures!  They are perfectly shaped and beautiful!  Well....so is this one:

 

And this one....

But look at this Frankenstein!

And this one looks like Sushi?!  I ran out of chocolate....haha

Either way, these taste out of this world....let's just hope the Z-Squad doesn't mind eating with their eyes closed. :)

Homemade Mounds Bars

What's In It:

2 c unsweetened coconut flakes*

1/3 c liquid sweetener (agave, honey, maple syrup, etc) - I used agave*

1/4 c powdered sugar

1/4 t salt

2 T coconut oil, melted (could use butter also, I wouldn't recommend oil since it won't set)

2 c chocolate chips

What To Do With It:

If your coconut flakes are rather large, you can run them through a food processor or blender for a few seconds to break them down a bit.  You don't want it to be all powder, but some of mine were really big and I wish I'd tamed them a bit. 

Combine coconut flakes with liquid sweetener and salt.  Mix in powdered sugar and then oil.

Place a small amount into the palm of your hand and fold your hand over to form the coconut mixture into a "log".  Mine were not all smooth and pretty, they had stray coconut strands everywhere.  If you can get yours nice and pretty, more power to you....if you can't.  They will still be delicious.

Place on a cookie tray.  Once you have all of the mixture shaped, place tray into the freezer for about 10 min.  

Meanwhile, melt your chocolate.  I used both the microwave and a makeshift double boiler - I preferred the double boiler because the chocolate stayed warm longer.  

Dip the chilled coconut mixture shapes into the melted chocolate and place on a wire rack (this is not absolutely necessary, but it will keep the extra chocolate from pooling around the base of the bars).  

Wait until the chocolate has hardened and then enjoy! :)

*If you don't have unsweetened coconut flakes, you can totally use sweetened, just leave out the sweetener.