Almond Joy Brownies

Almond Joy’s got nuts, Mounds don’t. It’s impossible to think about those candy bars without singing the song. In fact, I can never remember which has the nuts without singing the song. Why doesn’t the Mounds have the nut since when you look at an Almond Joy, it has a mound? The mysteries of the universe…

Sorry for my rambling, it happens. If you like chocolate and coconut, you’ll love these brownies. I had hoped that the coconut would be a solid layer that you’d be able to see from the side, but I guess that’s what I get for trying to swirl the brownies together.

You can see that there’s a lot going on in these brownies. There’s chocolate chips since my go-to brownie recipe includes them, there’s some coconut you can see on the edges there, there’s some chopped almonds, and of course the chocolate coating on the top.

As I said, there’s a lot going on in these brownies, but it’s a lot of awesomeness. I highly recommend letting these chill in the fridge overnight. It gives the brownies a chance to meld all those wonderful flavors together. I’d still serve them at room temperature or a bit cool, but definitely make them a day in advance.

One Year Ago: Chewy Fudgey Oatmeal Bars
Two Years Ago: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes
Four Years Ago: Scallop Burgers

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Almond Joy Brownies

Chocolate, almonds, and coconut are a perfect combination for a brownie!

Yield: 16 brownies

Ingredients:

For the Brownie
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp espresso powder, optional
1/2 Tbsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cups flour
1 cups chocolate chips
2 cups shredded, sweetened coconut
pinch salt
2/3 cup + 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whole almonds, chopped

For the Chocolate topping
3 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips)
2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped (or 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips)

Directions:

For the Brownies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 8"x8" pan

In a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the heat briefly, just until it's hot, but not bubbling; it'll become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating this mixture a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownies.

Transfer the sugar mixture to a medium-sized mixing bowl, if you've heated it in a saucepan. Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla.

Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth.

Add the flour and chips, again stirring until smooth.

Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 8"x8" pan.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the coconut, salt and condensed milk. Stir to combine. Dot the coconut mixture evenly over the brownie batter and use a knife to swirl the coconut mixture into the brownie mixture.

Sprinkle almonds over brownies.

Bake the brownies for about 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The brownies should feel set on the edges, and the center should look very moist, but not uncooked. Remove them from the oven.

For the Chocolate topping
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave by heating 20 seconds and stirring. Repeat until completely melted.

Spread melted chocolate on top of brownies (the brownies can be still warm or cool).

Refrigerate brownies overnight. This will allow all the flavors to meld together.

Recipe inspired by Baking and boys!

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90 Responses to “Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Patty Frosting and A Giveaway!”

  1. #
    1
    A — December 6, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Peppermint for sure

  2. #
    2
    Lucy — December 6, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    Love all things pumpkin this time of year!
    ralphlucy at comcast.net

  3. #
    3
    JL — December 6, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    The richness of eggnog is one of my fave parts of the holiday season
    jlynch6341@aol.com

  4. #
    4
    Mrs. Walk — December 6, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I can’t decide if it’s peppermint or pumpkin! Oooh or egg nog!

  5. #
    5
    Cathy B. @ Brightbakes — December 6, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    yet another choc/peppermint combination to tempt me. Oh my! These look lovely! Peppermint is Christmas to me!

  6. #
    6
    Cathy B. @ Brightbakes — December 6, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I tweeted too! breit85@gmail.com
    love,
    cathy b. @ brightbakes

  7. #
    7
    Jene — December 6, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    I looooooooooooooooooooooove chocolate and peppermint. Especially when the chocolate is hot and the peppermint is liquor. Or any other way, really.

  8. #
    8
    Cara — December 6, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    Oh I love Pumpkin and Peppermint! Two things my husband hates!

  9. #
    9
    Ashley — December 6, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Apple Cider!! I drink it all winter long.

    smartash1218@yahoo.com

  10. #
    10
    Loan LyPham-Ferry — December 6, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Definately chocolate and peppermint or anything heavy on the cinnamon and nutmeg! Too bad I can’t win these liners with your cupcakes already in them! They look wonderful!

  11. #
    11
    Kathy — December 6, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    I <3 peppermint, it's a guilty pleasure. Also that I get to overeat gingerbread. That's where i pudge at the holidays, with Gingerbread flavor. its decadent and delicous.

    Also: my word verification is redip. which entertains me.

  12. #
    12
    Linda and Matthew — December 6, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    I love the chocolate/peppermint combo.

  13. #
    13
    Lisa — December 6, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    My favorite holiday sweet is gingerbread cookies. rhisomers(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. #
    14
    Kathy — December 6, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    I tweeted it. and bragged you up.

  15. #
    15
    amanda @ fake ginger — December 6, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    So weird that it came out so thin for you! Maybe I should’ve specified what size can? Whoops. Anyway, I used a 14 ounce can and it came out pretty thick. Weird. I’m going to update my recipe with size now. 😉

    The cupcakes look great anyway! 🙂

  16. #
    16
    amanda @ fake ginger — December 6, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    Okay, ignore me. Apparently I only used 3/4 of a cup of the condensed milk. Seriously, the cold weather is messing with my head.

  17. #
    17
    Kris @ everywhereorange.com — December 6, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    I love chocolate and coconut this time of year. oh and of course marshmallow!
    goorsky at g mail dot com

  18. #
    18
    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — December 6, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I agree – I love chocolate and peppermint this time of year. And your idea to fill the cupcakes w/peppermint and top w/chocolate ganache sounds amazing! But really who minds a bit of a mess when eating something so tasty?

  19. #
    19
    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — December 6, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Just tweeted

  20. #
    20
    suzannah {so much shouting, so much laughter} — December 6, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    yum, these look delicious. i love homemade eggnog this time of year:)

  21. #
    21
    Sarah — December 6, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Chocolate and Peppermint is a classic xmas combo that I just love.

  22. #
    22
    Daisy — December 6, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    ive been drinking peppermint mocha lattes like they’re going out of style. definitely a favorite combo! I love gingerbread this time of year too!

  23. #
    23
    Laura and Alex — December 6, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    I love my Grandma’s almond puff 🙂 Soooo yummy

  24. #
    24
    Valerie — December 6, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    I’m lovin’ everything almond! Banket is a holiday staple at our house & I can’t get enough almond paste!

  25. #
    25
    Sarah — December 6, 2010 at 6:06 pm

    I’m partial to peppermint, especially those Andes Peppermint Chocolates. They’re like crack.
    sarah(dot)chverchko(at)gmail(dot)com

  26. #
    26
    KV — December 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Anything chocolate!

  27. #
    27
    maNda — December 6, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    my fav is peppermint! i love candycanes and mint choc! 🙂

    mandaala.blogspot.com

  28. #
    28
    mom — December 6, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    any kind dessert that looks “Christmas-y” is on my list!

  29. #
    29
    Amanda — December 6, 2010 at 6:53 pm

    I am in complete agreement- chocolate-peppermint is my favorite!!!

  30. #
    30
    Kirsty — December 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor: Rum. Rum in Truffles, rum in eggnog, Rum in banana muffins, rum in pineapple upside down cakes…..yup, rum. 🙂

  31. #
    31
    Cara — December 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    peppermint and chocolate is one of my favorite holiday flavors, but you know I have to remain loyal to pumpkin!

  32. #
    32
    CT Cupcake — December 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    those look so good! peppermint is by far my fave holiday flavor!
    but really also love buttery goodness in cookies. hmmm.
    ctcupcake8@yahoo.com

  33. #
    33
    EliFla — December 6, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    GREAT!!!! hugs, Flavia

  34. #
    34
    sarah — December 6, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Peppermint (ideally with chocolate)!

  35. #
    35
    Rebecca — December 6, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    Those look amazing!

  36. #
    36
    DaniD — December 6, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    I love mint chocolate and for the holidays put amaretto in EVERYTHING.

  37. #
    37
    Fashion Meets Food — December 6, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    I am kind of peppermint obsessed so I absolutely love your cupcakes. Not to mention a peppermint patty frosting just sounds like pure bliss!

    xo

    ps I am your newest follower

  38. #
    38
    Mom-in-law — December 6, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Molasses. Or coconut. And butter. Those are the dominant flavors in three of my favorite holiday cookies. nsp429@gmail.com

  39. #
    39
    Eva — December 6, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    I’m also on the peppermint bandwagon!

  40. #
    40
    Shelly — December 6, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Chocolate and peppermint defo!
    shelly8806@hotmail.com

  41. #
    41
    Megan — December 6, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I didn’t used to love the whole chocolate peppermint combo until I made an amazing cake from Bon Appetit last year. Now I’m hooked. I just ate a peppermint chocolate cookie for lunch today.

    Those wrappers are so cute!

  42. #
    42
    Aimee B — December 6, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    Pumpkin for sure. I love my pumpkin choc chip muffins! sunshine4342 at juno dot com

  43. #
    43
    Blog is the New Black — December 6, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Yum! I am all about mint, and so is my bf.

  44. #
    44
    Viviann — December 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    PUMPKIN PUMPKIN PUMPKIN!!! Can’t get enough!
    chocomuncher88 @ yahoo . com

  45. #
    45
    Caroline — December 6, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Peppermint and gingerbread. YUM!

    cmerrey at gmail dot com

  46. #
    46
    URBakin'MeCrazyy — December 6, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    My favorite flavor would have to be Egg Nog, or Peppermint :)!

    meggie_sue@woh.rr.com

  47. #
    47
    Heather — December 6, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    Peppermint for sure!!!

  48. #
    48
    Theresa Connolly — December 6, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Silly I know but I love Fruitcake in all its yummy, rummy goodness.

  49. #
    49
    kitchenmisfit — December 6, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Love eggnog! And mulled cider.

    – Amanda

  50. #
    50
    Alexis — December 6, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    I love peppermint and pumpkin best! 🙂

  51. #
    51
    Ashley — December 7, 2010 at 12:30 am

    Cinnamon!

  52. #
    52
    Amanda — December 7, 2010 at 12:44 am

    Peppermint is definitely my fave! cnahorvath@yahoo.com

  53. #
    53
    nicole — December 7, 2010 at 1:04 am

    my favorite holiday flavor is eggnog. I think I could eat or drink about anything with eggnog

  54. #
    54
    Rebecca — December 7, 2010 at 1:17 am

    Pumpkin pie spice 🙂 … in everything from homemade pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin bread! My fav!

  55. #
    55
    jane deere — December 7, 2010 at 1:36 am

    Peppermint for me! These cupcakes look delicious…love the baking liners!

  56. #
    56
    Patricia — December 7, 2010 at 1:37 am

    It’s a toss up between pumpkin and chocolate/peppermint.
    phjones21@yahoo.com

  57. #
    57
    Nutmeg Nanny — December 7, 2010 at 1:59 am

    These cupcakes look awesome! They are so pretty 🙂

    Such a fun giveaway too. My favorite holiday flavors are ginger and molasses….yum!

  58. #
    58
    Melissa — December 7, 2010 at 2:50 am

    Eggnog for sure!!! I just made Eggnog cookies that are actually TOO good….I can’t stay away!

  59. #
    59
    Sherry G — December 7, 2010 at 3:08 am

    I love simple molasses cookies! Molasses is one of my favorite things this time of year=)

  60. #
    60
    becksterslaboratory — December 7, 2010 at 3:24 am

    I am SO with you on the chocolate/mint combo! Beyond delicious! I always make some peppermint biscotti at this time of year – yum! : )

  61. #
    61
    Anonymous — December 7, 2010 at 3:27 am

    love the combo of peppermint and chocolate. also love KA flour – use it all the time.

    jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net

  62. #
    62
    Anne @thefitbridesmaid — December 7, 2010 at 4:13 am

    Well they look delicious! But I can see the pain of the ooziness!

  63. #
    63
    Taylor — December 7, 2010 at 4:19 am

    Peppermint and chocolate is my favorite!

  64. #
    64
    Elizabeth — December 7, 2010 at 4:29 am

    I love sweet things – especially egg nog!

  65. #
    65
    Nina — December 7, 2010 at 5:52 am

    Peppermint – I get addicted to peppermint mochas this time of year.

  66. #
    66
    Tyler — December 7, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Mint chocolate! Yum!!

  67. #
    67
    Jessica Falksen — December 7, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Cranberry! I think this started when we were giving our ‘grown up’ drink for Christmas Eve dinner. The real adults had wine and we had cran-raspberry juice for the kids version.

    jfalksen at gmail dot com

  68. #
    68
    The Small Boston Kitchen — December 7, 2010 at 11:36 am

    As always, your post makes me want to lick my computer screen! I made your Snickerdoodle brownies the other day and I ate just about the whole pan. By myself. Need to give away the rest and then make them again because they made my apt smell AMAZING!

  69. #
    69
    Lindsay — December 7, 2010 at 11:43 am

    chocolate and mint, yum!

    ljyoung85 at gmail.com

  70. #
    70
    Ange — December 7, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Coconut is my favorite! I put in mostly everything I bake during this time of year.

  71. #
    71
    Tiffany — December 7, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    I love sweet things at this time of year. Especially the peppermint bark or candy cane hershey kisses.

  72. #
    72
    Shannon — December 7, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    I love anything eggnog flavored, especially baked goods. Mint is a good one too.

  73. #
    73
    Lara @ GoodCookDoris — December 7, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    Peppermint hot chocolate! Or caramel…or pumpkin….

  74. #
    74
    Shannon — December 7, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    ooh, for the holidays i’d have to go with eggnog or peppermint!

  75. #
    75
    Maureen — December 7, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    I love peppermint! Can’t get enough of it this time of year!

  76. #
    76
    Kasey — December 7, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor has to be molasses. We have a family cookie recipe involving molasses that never gets old!

  77. #
    77
    Katy — December 7, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    Almond flavoring goes into several of our cookies- including the candy cane cookies. The combo of almond with mint makes for a great cookie!! Eggnog and chex mix add to this yummy Christmas Eve combination.

  78. #
    78
    Suzi — December 7, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor is sweet – the chocolate-peppermint combo, mmm!

  79. #
    79
    susieq — December 7, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Vanilla (as in the icing on my mother-in-law’s fabulously delicious sugar cookies). Mmmm….

  80. #
    80
    Jessie — December 8, 2010 at 12:52 am

    Chocolate is my favorite flavor year round!

  81. #
    81
    Liana Engie — December 8, 2010 at 9:16 am

    I’m not sure if I have a favorite holiday flavor… I’ve been sitting here thinking about it for a few minutes. Mint perhaps? But not in excessive amounts.

  82. #
    82
    Amy — December 8, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    My favorite holiday flavor is really my favorite year round flavor — cinnamon! I love cinnamon anything.

  83. #
    83
    Amber2Zoe — December 8, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Hood Golden Egg Nog – yum!

  84. #
    84
    CoCo — December 8, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Egg nog. I discovered Silk Egg Nog flavor as well as the See’s egg nog truffle this year. So happy.

  85. #
    85
    Maria — December 8, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    amazing! can’t wait to bake them!

  86. #
    86
    bbscabral — December 9, 2010 at 3:24 am

    I love anything that is baked with eggnog! This year I’m thinking I might have to try to make eggnog truffles! YUM!

    bbscabral@gmail.com

  87. #
    87
    Rachel Blumenthal — December 9, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Peppermint and chocolate used to be my favorite flavor combo, but lately it’s become chili pepper and chocolate. I love the juxtaposition of spicy and sweet!

  88. #
    88
    Kimmy Bingham — December 9, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    Pumpkin for Thanksgiving-time, eggnog for Christmas-time. I always forget how much I love eggnog until the time is here! 🙂

  89. #
    89
    Sheetal — December 9, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    pumpkin bread! hbhalsod@gmail.com

  90. #
    90
    Carolyn — December 9, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    I worship KAF. I mean WORSHIP! So I would love to win this one. My fave flavour combo for the holidays is probably chocolate and mint too, but I am really into gingerbread these days.

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