Tropical Traditions - Recipe - Better-Than-Candy Nut Crunchies

Better-Than-Candy Nut Crunchies

Prepared by Sarah Shilhavy, Photo by Jeremiah Shilhavy

2 cups organic pecans & almonds
1 cup (or more) Coconut Cream Concentrate
1 tablespoon (or as needed) coconut oil
1 - 2 tablespoons organic whole sugar (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1/2 cup (or more) shredded coconut or coconut flakes

Process sugar in a food processor until very fine.

Spread nuts in a cookie sheet and toast very lightly in a low heated oven. Place Coconut Cream Concentrate jar in hot water to soften. In a medium sized bowl, beat desired amount of Coconut Cream, your choice of sweetener (see below), coconut oil, and salt with a mixer until creamy. Make sure the sugar and salt are mixed in well.

Fold the toasted nuts into the mixture and mix well with a large spoon until all nuts are well coated. Spread mixture evenly on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Sprinkle the coconut shreds or flakes toasted lightly if desired over the Nut Crunchies and place cookie sheet in the refrigerator.

When cold, break apart the Nut Crunchies into bite-sized pieces and store in covered containers in the refrigerator.

Note: all measurements are approximate and can be varied to suit your taste. It is pretty hard to mess these up.

Variations:
Use any nuts you prefer, and/or use stevia instead of sugar to taste.

Stir dried coconut toasted into the mixture before spreading out.

Add flavoring such as a tablespoon or two of lemon juice and some lemon zest for Lemon Nut Crunchies.

Melt some organic dark chocolate, and spread over the mixture before or instead of sprinkling on the coconut and refrigerating.

Stir bits of dried pineapple into the mixture for Pina Colada Nut Crunchies

Use your imagination!

Beware: They are addictive! But sooo healthy too. Enjoy!

Submitted by Carol, Palm Bay, FL

BetterThanCandy-Nut-Crunchies Untitled

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The recipe looks good and I would like to make it. Just wanted to check as to whether Coconut cream concentrate is the same as "Cream of coconut". Also, should the dried coconut be sweetened or unsweetened? Thanks! :)

# Posted By Cyndi | 12/17/09 11:59 AM

Nope, Cream of Coconut is just a more concentrated form (higher fat content) of coconut milk. Coconut Cream Concentrate is actual ground up coconut meat (like peanut butter, only this is coconut). As for the dried coconut, I recommend unsweetened (see the hyperlink). If you make the recipe do let me know how it turned out for you. :)

# Posted By Sarah | 12/17/09 12:08 PM

I'm going to make this for New Year's Day party..........everything I have tried thus far has been beyond good!! I was a little dismayed with the coconut cream, but after finding how to re-mix it (that's so easy), I have been having a ball adding it to everything!!! It's delicious!!!!

# Posted By Connie | 12/30/09 1:09 PM

This recipe is awesome. My 16 year old daughter thought she was eating white chocolate. She began eating these "crunchies" with fresh raspberries. Absolutely delightful. I added 1 more tablespoon of sugar and vanilla. So healthy and good for you. Try this recipe ......excellent!!

# Posted By MaryJane | 1/8/10 9:20 PM

How many calories are in a batch? I would like to try this out it sounds delicious!

# Posted By Tasha | 1/23/10 9:58 PM

I think you may be missing the point of coconut oil based products. The calories don't really count. Coconut oil doens't seem to stick around (and since I have the "apple" shaped body, I know of that which I speak :)) I took coconut oil (Trop trad brand, of course) over the holidays, didn't change my diet and lost 15 lbs. By the way, I did make this recipe over New Year's Eve, and wow is it ever great!!! and easy!!! (I like that combo...great and easy)

# Posted By Connie Fletcher | 1/24/10 12:52 PM

Has any one tried it made with the stevia, instead of sugar?

# Posted By Carolyn | 2/21/10 10:17 PM

Recipe fail for me. I followed exactly expect used honey for the sweetener. I could not get the mixture to get creamy. It was just a big gritty mess. Boo.... I really wanted it to work out.

# Posted By mary crow | 2/22/10 5:31 PM

Did you melt the Coconut Cream Concentrate down as shown in the video? A little bit of honey should work....but the sugar is really the best if you really want that "bark" like consistency.

# Posted By Sarah | 2/22/10 7:01 PM

I have made these numerous times. I love them. They are vey popular at social get togethers.Variations on ingredients (along with the nuts) are orange zest, dried blueberries, almond extract. I also add cashews for 3 different nuts. Lastly, for the sugar sensitive, I use agave and stevia for the sweetener. Take the melted coconut cream concentrate away from heat source before putting agave/stevia in. Otherwise, it turns gritty as mentioned above w/honey.

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