3 Ingredient Mounds Bar

If you love coconut, enjoy easy recipes, and want a tasty treat, the 3-Ingredient Mounds Bar is perfect for you. This simple dessert combines unsweetened coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and dark chocolate to create a delightful snack. It’s quick to make, and you can customize it to fit various dietary preferences. Curious about how to whip up these bars and impress your friends or family? Let’s explore the details of this delicious recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you decide to make this 3-ingredient Mounds Bar recipe, you’ll quickly discover why it’s a favorite among many. This treat offers a rich coconut filling, perfectly covered in dark chocolate, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and richness.

You can easily customize the ingredients, using unsweetened coconut and different types of chocolate, making it a healthier option than traditional candy. Plus, with minimal cooking time, you can prepare it in under an hour! Remarkably, the homemade version is often lower in sugar and calories, while still providing healthy fats and fiber. Each bar contains approximately 213 calories, making it a guilt-free indulgence that fits into a health-conscious lifestyle. It’s vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs.

This recipe is an excellent choice for a quick dessert or snack!

History

The history of Mounds Bars is as rich and layered as the treat itself. Created in 1919 by confectioner Vincent Nitido, it featured a coconut center coated in dark chocolate. Priced at just 5¢, it quickly became popular.

By 1929, the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company took over, doubling its offerings while keeping it affordable. During World War II, they faced sugar and coconut shortages, cleverly sourcing coconut from the Caribbean using a fleet of small vessels known as the “Flea Fleet.” This fleet not only guaranteed ingredient supply but also aided U.S. military efforts. Additionally, Mounds bars became a focus of production amidst sugar shortages during the war. Over the years, Mounds became part of Hershey’s brand after being acquired in 1988, cementing its place in candy history.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– Unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut
– Sweetened condensed milk
– Dark or semi-sweet chocolate

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine the unsweetened flaked coconut with the sweetened condensed milk. Mix well until the coconut is fully coated and the mixture is sticky.
Shape the coconut mixture into logs or small mounds, aiming for about 12 pieces for standard-sized bars.
Place the shaped logs onto the lined baking sheet and freeze them for at least 20 minutes to firm up.
While the coconut logs are freezing, melt the dark or semi-sweet chocolate. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl in short intervals, stirring between each, or use a double boiler for a more controlled melting process.
Once the coconut logs are frozen, dip each one into the melted chocolate, making sure they’re fully coated. Use a fork to help with the dipping and to allow excess chocolate to drip off before placing them back on the lined baking sheet.
Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or place the baking sheet back in the refrigerator for quicker cooling. These delicious bars are perfect for homemade gifts or rainy day activities.

Extra Tips:

For a smoother chocolate coating, consider adding a small amount of oil, such as coconut oil, to the melted chocolate. This will help create a glossy finish and make the chocolate easier to work with.

Additionally, feel free to customize your Mounds Bars by adding a pinch of salt to the coconut mixture for enhanced flavor. Enjoy your homemade treats!

Final Thoughts

Creating your own Mounds Bars at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. You’ll enjoy the sweet coconut filling wrapped in rich dark chocolate, and you can customize the ingredients to suit your taste.

Keep in mind the nutritional information: each full-size bar has 258 calories, with 31g of carbohydrates and 14g of fat. It’s a good idea to reflect on portion control, especially since snack sizes are available at 80 calories each.

Remember, Mounds Bars are gluten-free, but they do contain allergens like soy, milk, and coconut. Always check for sulfites and other potential allergens based on your dietary needs.

With a little care, you’ll create a delicious treat that’s perfect for sharing or indulging yourself!

FAQ

Have you ever wondered how to tackle some common questions about making your own Mounds Bars? First, yes, you can use sweetened coconut instead of unsweetened, and it’ll still turn out great. In academic writing, it’s essential to support your claims with evidence, which can also apply to ensuring that your ingredients are of high quality for the best results. If you prefer a caffeine-free option, carob chips are a fine substitute for chocolate. If your coconut mixture isn’t forming logs, try adding more shredded coconut to the condensed milk. Melting chocolate in stages is important as it helps temper the chocolate, resulting in a smoother coating. Finally, for a thinner chocolate coating, simply add a small amount of oil to your melted chocolate. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating delicious homemade Mounds Bars!