Homemade Almond Joy Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, 5-Ingredient)

Published: Apr 3, 2017 · by Demeter | Beaming Baker 22 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

Homemade Almond Joy Cups (Paleo, V, GF): a 5-ingredient recipe for rich, nutty Almond Joy cups layered in velvety chocolate. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free. Check out the nut-free version here.

Who loves Almond Joy? Go on, don’t be shy, raise those hands up high! Who else just loves the combo of coconut, chocolate and almonds, regardless of it being in candy bar form?

Yep, I thought so. 😉

I’m BEYOND pleased to share the Almond Joy-remixed version of my chocolate coconut cups from last week! Here’s the thing, this all started last Halloween when I shared my recipe for Paleo Almond Joy. Since those few short months ago, that recipe has become one of the most popular recipes on Beaming Baker.

Thereby proving one of Erik’s theories: people LOVE Almond Joy anything. Since then, I’ve gone on to share exactly zero more Almond Joy recipes with you. Because I’m smart like that. *coughs*

The thing is, I just wasn’t sure how to go about another Almond Joy recipe! Should I start with Almond Joy brownies? Maybe go in a different direction with an Almond Joy smoothie? Perhaps go for an AJ cookie instead? The possibilities were, and still are, endless. Imagine, Almond Joy truffles…

But, I had another one of Erik’s totally unsolicited pieces of advice echoing in my mind (he is so annoying sometimes… 😉 )… it goes something along the lines of: when in doubt, make a cup. And by cup, I mean, CANDY cup!!! Followed by vigorous eyebrow raises and a few exaggerated elbow nudges. Oh, Erik…

Guess what though? He was totally right! But don’t tell him I said that. Ahem. These homemade Almond Joy cups were even more fun to make than my candy cups of days’ past (peanut butter, almond butter fudge, cookie dough, to name a few).

To top it off, these had more coconut. And I mean, literally, topped off. 🙂 Alright, alright, enough with the corny “jokes.” Something about eating/making/then eating more candy makes me wayyyy too energetic. I wonder what it could be… 😉

Now before I go off on a tangent even the pointiest of elbow nudges couldn’t get me out of, allow me to tell you all about these Homemade Almond Joy Cups. They’re:

scrumptiously crispy, chewy and crunchy
packed with just the right amount of your favorites: coconut, almond and chocolate
made with just 5 simple ingredients
vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo
delicately sweet, perfectly satisfying
plant-based and allergy-friendly
so good, you’ll be walking around thinking about what else you could make in cup form afterward…

So are ya ready to get your cup on? Grab your 5 ingredients, your biggest Almond Joy-craving-induced appetite and meet me in the kitchen! It’s time to go Willy Wonka up in this piece (excluding all of the mysterious incidents, of course). I can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe! In the meantime, tell me:

What’s your favorite way to enjoy candy?

As is, in candy form
As a milkshake
As ice cream
________________?

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

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Homemade Almond Joy Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, 5-Ingredient)

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Author: Demeter | Beaming Baker
Yield: 12 cups 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade Almond Joy Cups (Paleo, V, GF): a 5-ingredient recipe for rich, nutty Almond Joy cups layered in velvety chocolate. Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free.

Scale

Ingredients

Coconut Cups

1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut, shreds or flakes
¼ cup coconut oil, solid or melted
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Chocolate Layer

½ cup vegan chocolate chips
½ teaspoon coconut oil

Topping

2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut, shreds or flakes
2 tablespoons almonds, chopped

Chocolate Drizzle

2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
¼ teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

Line a standard 12-muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside for later.
Make the Coconut Cups: Add Coconut Cups ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until you get a wet and sticky dough-like mixture, with smaller, but still noticeable coconut pieces.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of coconut mixture into each muffin cup. Press down and smooth until you get an even, tightly-packed layer. Coconut mixture will be sticky.* Set aside.
Make the Chocolate Layer: Add Chocolate Layer ingredients to a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 20-second increments until melted. Stir in between heating, until smooth. Scoop and drop 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate onto each cup. Using a small spoon, spread chocolate into an even layer. Tap the pan a few times to even out the chocolate.
Add Topping ingredients to a small bowl and stir until mixed. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon onto each cup. Set aside.
Make the Chocolate Drizzle: add Chocolate Drizzle ingredients to the bowl of leftover melted chocolate. Heat in 20-second increments in the microwave until just softened. Stir until smooth. Pour melted chocolate into a zip bag and trim off a very small tip. Drizzle all cups.
Place muffin pan into the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Thaw for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.

Notes

– *Here’s how I like to smooth out the cups: Use one hand to hold the muffin liner in place; use a small spoon in the other hand to press down and smooth coconut filling into an even layer.
– Adapted from my 4 Ingredient Chocolate Coconut Cups and my Paleo Almond Joy.
– Store in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
– If freezing, store in an airtight, freezer-friendly container for 1-2 months. Allow to thaw for 10-20 minutes before enjoying.
– More coconut recipes (all V, GF, DF): Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Nice Cream (Paleo), Chocolate Coconut Truffles, Coconut Almond Rice Crispy Treats.

Category: Candy, No Bake, Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

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If you love these Homemade Almond Joy Cups, then you’ll enjoy these gluten free vegan recipes…

☀ Paleo + Vegan Candy Recipes

Paleo Almond Joy (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, 5 Ingredient)

Chocolate Coconut Truffles (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, 4 Ingredient)

Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Fudge Cups (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo, 3 Ingredient)

☀ More Chocolate Candy recipes

4 Ingredient Chocolate Coconut Cups (Paleo, V, GF, DF)

Paleo Almond Butter Cups (Paleo, V, GF, DF)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (V, GF, DF)

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Comments

Christy says
December 6, 2017 at 8:30 pm

I’m thinking of making these for a party. Will they hold up well sitting out or will they get all soft and melty? Also, with the coconut oil it says solid or melted. I guessing I still melt the solid before mixing in? Thank you!!

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  December 8, 2017 at 10:02 am
  
  Hi Christy, yes, they do sit well at room temperature–but not in direct sunlight. You can toss the coconut oil in solid or melted. Both ways will work just fine. Can’t wait to hear how they turn out! 🙂
  
  Reply
Renee says
November 19, 2017 at 12:25 am

These were so good. SO good. I’m going to make these again for Thanksgiving dinner.

★★★★★

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  November 20, 2017 at 1:33 pm
  
  YEAH!! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed them, Renee! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to let me know. Happy early Thanksgiving! 🙂
  
  Reply
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
August 14, 2017 at 4:17 pm

I’m seriously drooling right now! Not only do I have to make these, but there are so many fabulous-looking recipes I have found on your blog that I need in my life 😉 I recently gave up added sugars, artificial sugars and refined grains for 30 days. Although I am finished with the 30-day program, I would like to continue to keep refined sugars out of my diet and stick to natural sugars instead. I’m going to mess around with some of my old “white sugar” recipes and try to adjust them to remove the refined sugars. All of your recipes are so stunning and I can’t wait to try so many of them!

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  August 23, 2017 at 12:31 pm
  
  Aw, thanks Sherri! Best of luck keeping with a refined sugar-free diet. It can be hard, but I believe in ya! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think!
  
  Reply
  - Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
    August 24, 2017 at 12:08 pm
    
    Thanks Demeter! The diet is going well. I didn’t get to make the almond joy cups yet; however, I DID make your Chocolate Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars and they were soooooo amazing! My husband and I were fighting over who could take the last ones to work! 😉
    
    Reply
    - Demeter | Beaming Baker says
      August 24, 2017 at 3:58 pm
      
      Oh, good to hear! 🙂 So pleased that you enjoyed the banana breakfast bars (and props to you for typing that ENTIRE epic title out haha). Can’t wait to hear what you try next! 🙂
      
      Reply
Tricia says
May 2, 2017 at 10:43 am

I love how these are clean and delicious!! They taste so amazing too 🙂 Thanks!

★★★★★

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  May 5, 2017 at 11:20 am
  
  Clean treats are the best! 🙂 Thanks so much for your feedback, Tricia! 🙂
  
  Reply
Laurel says
April 7, 2017 at 8:09 pm

I LOVE Almond Joy and am always looking for all the ways to eat that coconut chocolate combo! I can tell these cups will be my new go-to! With only 5 ingredients… I mean, SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! How much easier can it get! And, I second the Almond Joy month. How could that be bad?!

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 10, 2017 at 1:33 pm
  
  Oh, Laurel, you’ll find that chocolate + coconut is one of my ABSOLUTE fave combos!! Can’t wait to hear what you think of these! Happy Almond Joy month (yep, that should DEFINITELY be a thing). 😉
  
  Reply
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
April 3, 2017 at 6:44 pm

My favorite way to candy is definitely in good ol’ candy form, but I NEED you to create the AJ cookie/brownie/milkshake/icecream/cake/parfait/creme brulee/trifle/etc. too. Hmm maybe just dub April Almond Joy month why dontcha.? Okay fine, you can space it out if you must. But I think cups was the perfect place to start. Simple straight-up Almond Joy (yes it should always be capitalized!) flavor. Plus they look so pretty with all the sprinkles and drizzles on top–so silkayyyy. I am all about the coconut right now (seriously you should see how fast I plow through the cans of coconut milk.) and all about the chocolate always so bring. it. on. And since this is one candy I never really ate as a kid, I have some seriously catching up to do now in healthier homemade form. Thanks for putting some extra JOY in my monday.

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 6, 2017 at 1:18 pm
  
  I never pegged you for old-fashioned! Lol. J/k! 😉 Okay, I’m gonna start working on that epic AJ mashup, stat! Almond Joy month sounds like the tastiest month ever. There’s always extra JOY for you. 😉 <3
  
  Reply
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
April 3, 2017 at 10:02 am

I am the oddball here because I don’t like coconut (GAAAHHH!) but luckily, my husband loves this and I think he would adore me even more if I made these for him! Such a fun treat, Demeter! I love that you made almond joy healthier and into little bite sized cups. How cute are these?! I also love how they’re chewy, crunchy, and cripsy…all of the things that candy should be. Pinning these babies, of course! Hope your Monday is off to a wonderful start!

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 3, 2017 at 3:36 pm
  
  All oddballs welcome! 🙂 Coconut is definitely not everyone’s bag. 😉 I hope you get a chance to make some for the hubster and he loves them! Chewy, crunchy, crispy, what more could ya need in a candy cup, right? 😉 Thanks for pinning & stopping by! Happy Monday. 🙂
  
  Reply
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
April 3, 2017 at 9:53 am

People DO just love them some almond joys! At least you know I used to LIVE for almond joys. And mounds. Oooor just anything chocolate and coconut. Bonus if almonds were included! 🙂 AAAAND, E is so right, when in doubt, cup it out! lol. These little almondy joys of cup deliciousness look crazy delicious, my dear! Wish I could eat a few dozen of these for breakfast and just call it a day! SO YUM! Pinned of course! Cheers! xoxoxoxoxo

★★★★★

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 3, 2017 at 3:22 pm
  
  Oh YEAH they do! Lolol. Yep, yep and yep! We’ve got to cup it out more often! Lolol. Thanks for pinning! Muah. xox
  
  Reply
[email protected] says
April 3, 2017 at 9:49 am

There is something about coconut that makes everything look so pretty! These are no exception! They look amazing.

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 3, 2017 at 3:05 pm
  
  That’s so true! Coconut makes everything better. 🙂 Thanks Patrick!
  
  Reply
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
April 3, 2017 at 8:43 am

These cups look absolutely delicious! I’ve never actually had an Almond Joy candy bar, BUT here in the UK, we do have a candy bar called Bounty. It’s just like an Almond Joy, just without the almonds lol. The combination of coconut and chocolate is so good! Have an awesome week, Demeter! xo

★★★★★

Reply
- Demeter | Beaming Baker says
  April 3, 2017 at 3:05 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Marsha! 🙂 I’ve been hearing about these Bounty’s for ages now!! I wonder how similar they are. 🙂 Kind of like a Mounds, right? Have a great week Marsha! xo
  
  Reply

Homemade Almond Joy Cups (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, 5-Ingredient)