Chocolate Almond Bars

Vary this ice-cream bar recipe to suit your tastes. Use any flavor ice cream that comes in a block and substitute pecans or peanuts for the almonds or leave the nuts out. To turn this into a yummy knife and fork dessert, forget the wooden sticks and serve the ice cream bars on plates.

from Family Circle

Chocolate Almond Bars
Servings: 12 Prep 1 hr Freeze 5 hrs or overnight

Ingredients

  • 1/2 gallon coffee- or vanilla-flavored premium ice cream (in rectangular container)
  • 12 flat wooden sticks
  • 1 cup almonds, toasted
  • 2 pounds semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, or a combination of both, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening

Make It

1. Unwrap block of ice cream from wrapper. Cut block crosswise into thirds; return two-thirds to freezer. Working quickly, cut other third of block like loaf of bread into 8 equal slices, about 1/2 inch thick.

2. Using spatula, transfer 4 pieces of ice cream to parchment or waxed paper lined baking sheet. Gently press wooden stick lengthwise onto half of each piece, extending one end for handle. Top each piece with another ice cream piece to make bar, lining up edges. Cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Place baking sheet in freezer until firm but not solid, about 1 hour.

3. Repeat with other two-thirds of ice cream block and remaining wooden sticks.

4. Finely chop almonds. Place in shallow pie plate or dish. Remove wrap from bars. With spatula, lift bars into dish; press chopped nuts onto sides and edges. Re-cover bars with wrap. Freeze until firm, for about 2 hours.

5. In second shallow dish, combine chocolate and shortening. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes. Stir until mixture is blended and chocolate is completely melted. If chocolate is not completely melted, microwave 30 to 60 seconds more, then stir the mixture again.

6. Remove wrap from ice cream bars. Working with one bar at a time, quickly dip a bar in the chocolate mixture, using a spoon or rubber spatula to cover all exposed nuts. Return bars to freezer as you dip them. Chocolate should harden almost immediately. Freeze for 2 hours. Serve, or store in resealable plastic bags in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe: 12; Amount Per Serving: cal. (kcal): 659, Fat, total (g): 50, chol. (mg): 33, sat. fat (g): 25, carb. (g): 58, fiber (g): 4, pro. (g): 12, sodium (mg): 70, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
close