Almond Joy

Almond Joy Ice Cream—a creamy blend of rich chocolate, toasted almonds, and sweet coconut for the perfect frozen twist on the classic candy bar!
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Almond Joy Ice Cream is a decadent frozen treat inspired by the classic Almond Joy candy bar, featuring a rich blend of chocolate, coconut, almonds, and creamy ice cream. This flavor captures the nostalgic combination of textures and tastes that have made Almond Joy a favorite candy for decades.

The Origins of the Almond Joy Candy Bar

Before Almond Joy became a household name, its predecessor, the Mounds bar, was first introduced in 1920 by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company in Connecticut. Mounds featured sweet coconut coated in dark chocolate, but it lacked the nutty crunch of almonds.

Due to the popularity of the Mounds bar, Peter Paul introduced Almond Joy in 1946, a variation featuring whole almonds on top of the coconut filling, covered in milk chocolate. The tagline, “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t,” became one of the most iconic candy slogans in history, highlighting the choice between Mounds (no nuts) and Almond Joy (with nuts).

After decades of success, Peter Paul was acquired by Hershey in 1988, and Almond Joy remained one of their signature candy bars, beloved for its unique blend of nutty, creamy, and chocolatey flavors.

The Evolution into Ice Cream

With the growing trend of candy-inspired ice creams in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it was only a matter of time before Almond Joy was transformed into a frozen dessert. The combination of chocolate, coconut, and almonds makes for a naturally rich and indulgent ice cream flavor, appealing to those who love both candy and ice cream.

Why Almond Joy Became an Ice Cream Flavor

  1. Perfect Flavor Balance – The sweet coconut, crunchy almonds, and smooth chocolate create a well-rounded taste experience.
  2. Texture Contrast – The mix of creamy ice cream, crunchy almonds, and chewy coconut adds excitement to every bite.
  3. Candy-Inspired Ice Cream Trend – Popular ice cream brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Blue Bell, and Häagen-Dazs have released candy bar-based flavors, making Almond Joy a natural fit for ice cream adaptation.

Modern Variations of Almond Joy Ice Cream

Today, Almond Joy Ice Cream comes in several variations, including:

  • Classic versions with coconut ice cream, chocolate chunks, and roasted almonds.
  • Chocolate-based variations with a chocolate ice cream base instead of vanilla.
  • Gourmet twists featuring caramel swirls, toasted coconut, or dark chocolate fudge ribbons.
  • Dairy-free or vegan options using coconut milk or almond milk as the base.

Some specialty shops even add coconut macaroons, almond butter, or crunchy toffee bits for an extra layer of flavor.

Almond Joy Ice Cream is a delicious tribute to one of the most iconic candy bars, bringing together the beloved flavors of sweet coconut, crunchy almonds, and creamy chocolate in a frozen, scoopable treat. Whether made at home, enjoyed from an artisanal ice cream shop, or bought from a grocery store, this flavor continues to be a favorite among candy and ice cream lovers alike.

Ingredients

  1. 3 ½ cups coconut cream base
  2. 1 tsp Coconut extract
  3. ⅓ cup Salted roasted chopped almonds 
  4. 2 oz Baker's semi-sweet chocolate (melted)
  5. 2 tsp water

Coconut Filling:

  1. 1 ¼ cup sweetened coconut
  2. ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
  3. ½ tsp vanilla

Instructions

Coconut filling:

  1. In a bowl combine sweetened coconut, condensed milk and vanilla, stir together until the coconut looks all wet.
  2. Store in an airtight container. No need to refrigerate. 

Ice Cream:

  1. Chop the 2 oz Baker’s chocolate and melt it on the stove with 2 tsp of water. Stir until smooth.
  2. In a separate bowl combine melted chocolate and coconut extract, stir until combined. 
  3. Add a little of the coconut base to the chocolate and coconut at a time and whisk so the chocolate is evenly distributed throughout.
  4. Pour into the ice cream maker and churn. Churn until the mix starts to look solid and firm. It’s ready when a spoon is pressed across the top and it should leave an impression without collapsing for just a second.
  5. During the last minute of churning add half of the coconut filling so the coconut can disperse through the ice cream.
  6. Turn off the machine and remove the dasher. 
  7. Layer ice cream and chopped almonds in the ice cream container. 
  8. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight.