Almond Joy Brownies

I have many recipes waiting for me to post!  I don't know why I have no motivation, maybe its the heat?  Maybe its the summertime business we all seem to be experiencing??

Maybe I am just plain lazy??

Whatever it may be, I am still cooking, just not blogging!

This recipe was a hit and yummy!

Chocolate, Almonds, Coconut!!!  Who couldn't ask for a better combination!  I didn't do the Chocolate topping but served them with hot fudge and ice cream on the side.  I don't think it needs the topping, but I will include the option for you to try!

Almond Joy Brownies

(Beantown Baker)

For the Brownie:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 cups shredded, sweetened coconut
• pinch salt
• 2/3 cup + 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup whole almonds, chopped

Chocolate Topping:

• 3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips)
• 2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped (or 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8 x 8 pan.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt your butter.  Then add your sugar and stir to combine.  Heat until hot but not bubbly.  It will become shiny looking as you stir it.  This helps dissolve the sugar and give the brownie a shiny crust.

Transfer your sugar/butter mixture to a mixing bowl.  Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla.

Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth.

Add your flour and chocolate chips.  Stir until smooth.

Spoon your batter into your prepared pan.

Next, combine your coconut, salt and sweetened condensed milk.  Stir to combine.  Drop your coconut mixture onto your brownie batter.  Drop evenly all over and then take a knife and swirl it into your brownie batter.

Sprinkle your chopped almonds on top and bake for about 30 minutes.  A cake tested should come out clean when done.  You may have a few moist crumbs, which is fine.  Remove from oven and cool.

~For the chocolate topping, melt your chocolate until completely melted in your microwave in 20 seconed intervals or on the stove in a double boiler.  Spread melted chocolate on top of the brownie.  Your brownies can be warm or completley cooled.  Refrigerate overnight and enjoy!

I omitted the chocolate topping and we ate the brownies the same day and served with hot fudge and ice cream which was super good too and omitted the waiting period!