homemade Mounds Bars and Almond Joy Bars

Mounds Bars and Almond Joy Bars

5 oz can sweetened condensed milk 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
2 cups powdered sugar 
14 oz package premium shredded flaked coconut
24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips.

In a mixing bowl, blend the condensed milk and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar to the mixture a little bit at a time, stirring until smooth. Stir in the coconut; the mixture should be firm. Pat the mixture firmly into a greased 9X13X2 inch pan. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

In a double boiler over hot water (not boiling), melt the chocolate, stirring often. (You may also use a microwave oven: place the chips in a bowl and heat for one minute on high, stir, then heat for 1 more minute).

Remove the coconut mixture from the refrigerator and cut into 1X2 inch bars. Set each coconut bar onto a fork and dip into the chocolate. Tap fork against the side of the pan or bowl to remove excess chocolate. Air dry at room temperature on waxed paper. This could take several hours, but chocolate sets best at cool room temperature (below 70 degrees). You may speed up the process by placing the bars in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Variation:

Almond Joy

Add 1 cup dry roasted almonds to the list of ingredients. Substitute milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate. Place two almonds atop each bar before dipping in chocolate. Makes about 3 dozen bars.