Almond Joy Bars (With or Without the Almonds)

Ingredients

10 Tbspunsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 clight brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 cflour
1/2 tspfine sea salt
28 ozsweetened condensed milk
28 ozshredded coconut
1 tspvanilla extract
5 cbittersweet chocolate baking chunks (loosely placed in cup)

Directions
1
Preheat oven to 350° F . Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and coat with canola or vegetable spray. NOTE: I use a 13×9 inch pan becasue I prefer them thicker. You can adjust the size of the pan to your preference. You can use 1/2 the recipe if you do not need as much.
2
In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the flour and salt. Carefully mix to combine until it resembles chunky bread crumbs. Transfer into the prepared pan and evenly press the batter into an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire baking rack while preparing the coconut topping.
3
In a large bowl, combine the condensed milk, coconut, and vanilla. Spread over the crust and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until it begins to brown.
4
Melt the chocolate over a double boiler. Stir until melted and smooth. Pour over cooked coconut bars and spread into an even layer. Allow to cool then refrigerate until hardened, about 1 hour. Cut into 36 squares.

NOTE: Use chunks not chips (70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chunks.) Bittersweet chocolate is available in several forms, including bars, chips, and chunks of various sizes. It is used in baking, cooking, and is eaten out of hand.

NOTE: You can top with Almond Joy bites, sliced almonds or leave off. Use light or dark chocolate, your preference.