Chocolate-Coconut Joy Bars

Sometimes you feel like a nut - sometimes you don't!  I guess I fall into the "nut" category for putting my oven on in this heat, but it's much better today.   This is a sneak preview of one of the new Fall/Winter recipes from The Pampered Chef Season's Best collection.  These bars have the flavor of the popular candy bar and are so easy to make!

You will need:

• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 bag (14 oz.) sweetened, flaked coconut, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups Devil's Food cake mix (1/2 box)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup water
• 1-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided
• Toasted sliced almonds for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Finely chop almonds.  Combine almonds, 1 cup of the coconut, flour, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar and baking soda in a medium bowl.  Mix well.  Add butter;  and mix until combined.  Press mixture onto bottom of  11 x 15 sheet pan.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown.  Let cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, egg and water;  whisk 1 minute or until smooth.  Pour batter over warm crust; carefully spread to edges.  Sprinkle batter evenly with 1/2 cup of the chocolate morsels and remaining coconut.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until coconut is toasted.

Place remaining 3/4 cup chocolate morsels in 1 cup glass bowl.  Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1 minutes or until mostly melted.  Stir to fully melt chocolate.  Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag.  Twist top of bag; trim corner.  Drizzle chocolate over toasted coconut topping.  Garnish with toasted sliced almonds.  Cut into 24 bars.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Sharing with: Sweet Indulgences Sundays - A Well Seasoned Life
Joy of Desserts - Mmm Monday...Dessert
Melt in your Mouth Mondays 

~Source:  The Pampered Chef  Season's Best Fall/Winter