These Homemade Vegan Mounds Bars are a healthier spin on the infamous candy bar. This version is free of gluten, dairy, corn soy and nuts. These tasty little candy bars are easy to make with only 5 ingredients and so delicious!

Eating is emotional

So, you want to cut out refined sugar.  Or you’ve just decided to go full-on vegan.  Or maybe your health has suffered from a candida problem for far. too. long.

What happens next can be a mixed bag of emotions.  I know, cuz I’ve been there myself, and I’ve seen it in many of my clients, too.  There’s a sigh of relief because you’ve reached a pivotal point.  You’ve had the “a-ha” moment in which you can point your finger to exactly what you want (or need) to change in your diet.  And there’s freedom that comes with that.  Because now it’s defined.  It’s quantifiable.  And you can take the next step forward.

On the other hand, there are feelings of disappointment and even sadness over all the things in your diet you’ll be giving up.  And many times, it means giving up some of your favorite dishes.

Mounds Bars – My all time favorite!

My personal, all time favorite, raid-the-pantry kind of treat that I craved as a child was Mounds chocolate candy bar!  Do you remember those?  Chocolate + coconut = heaven.  But years later, when I realized that dairy and refined sugar was not helping my body, I was SUPER upset that I could no longer enjoy my favorite candy bar. (Cue my inner 12 year old crying through her braces).

Recreating childhood favorites

Since that sad day in which I relinquished my beloved Mounds bars, it has become a passion of mine to recreate favorite dishes for my clients- the Natural Tasty Way!  It’s such a fun challenge when a client tells me they love something like nachos piled high with cheese and chili, which then sets me on the hunt to recreate a healthier, cleaner version of nachos. (Damn.  Anyone getting a nachos craving?)

Mounds bars – the natural tasty way

Ok, back to the chocolate-y goodness of Mounds bars.  Of course, I HAD to recreate Mounds bars.  If for no one else then myself!  So I removed the dairy and refined sugar, which makes these bars:

Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Corn-free, and
Vegan

I use sweetened condensed coconut milk along with shredded coconut and coconut oil, which gives my Spin on Mounds bars a good amount of healthy, fatty acids.

All that coconut is making me swoon.  I love coconut!  I think a trip to the Bahamas is in order real soon.  And on the plane, we can enjoy some of my coconut-packed, dark chocolate covered Spin on Mounds!  My treat 🙂

NOTE: If you can’t find sweetened condensed coconut milk at a store near you, here’s a recipe to make your own: Homemade Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk. And this version is refined sugar free!

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Homemade Mounds Bars

Vegan | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free

Course Dessert

Ingredients

For the bar:

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut more for garnish
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed coconut milk*
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
• pinch sea salt

For the chocolate coating:

• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips I prefer Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 heaping Tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Place all the bar ingredients into a bowl (or a food processor) and mix until fully combined.

3. Using a spoon or mini spatula, form batter into mini logs and line on baking sheet. Place in the freezer to chill while you prepare the chocolate coating.

For the chocolate coating:

1. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a heat-safe bowl and either microwave at 30 second intervals or heat over a double boiler until melted.

2. Remove baking sheet from the freezer and using 2 forks, dip eat bar into the chocolate, using the forks to flip and coat completely. Garnish the top with a sprinkle of shredded coconut. Continue until all the bars are coated.

3. Place back in the freezer to set. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

4. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*If you can't find sweetened condensed coconut milk at a store near you, here's a recipe to make your own: Homemade Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk.

* Option to make these into "Almond Joy Bars" by placing a small almond on top of the coconut mixture.