I’ve been adapting fairly well to the dairy-free life, but there are some things that I just can’t get over. I’ve been craving cheese like crazy lately – cheeseburgers, pizza, cheesy bread. I’ve also been craving candy. Sour candy is good, but it can’t replace chocolate. I love Almond Joy candy bars. I can still remember when Mike got some for our trick-or-treaters and I had to hate-watch him eat the leftovers. Yes, I’m still upset about that over 4 months later.

Thankfully, Nicole from Cookies on Friday could fix at least one of my cravings. I was able to easily adapt her Almond Joy Bread recipe to be dairy-free. This bread was so good that I almost didn’t want to share. But, I did share because I’m a kind and loving wife. I even left over half the leftovers with him in Appleton. (Actually, I kind of regret doing that now). This bread is definitely on my make-again-asap list and it should be on your must-make-immediately list. Just sayin’.

Dairy-Free Almond Joy Bread
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup stevia
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon coconut extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup soy milk
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut, lightly toasted
½ cup almonds, chopped
½ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips
for the coconut glaze
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
½ tablespoon coconut oil
½ teaspoon coconut extract
for the chocolate ganache
1/2 cup soy milk
1/3 cup dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 4.5″x8.5″x2.5″ loaf pan and set aside.
- Combine lemon juice and soy milk in a small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, stevia, coconut oil, vanilla and coconut extract until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix 1/3 of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix in 1/2 of the soy milk. Mix in 1/3 of the dry ingredients. Mix in remaining 1/2 of the wet ingredients, followed by the last of the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips. Pour batter into the prepared on, smoothing out the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- While bread is cooling, make the glaze. In a small pot, whisk together sugar, water, coconut oil and coconut extract.
- Using a toothpick or skewer, poke holes into the top of the bread. Move bread onto a cooling rack and place a plate underneath. Brush or spoon the glaze on top, letting the glaze soak in.
- While cake sets, make the ganache: Place chocolate chips into a small bowl. Heat soy milk to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate chips. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over bread.
- Top with additional toasted coconut, if desired.
slightly adapted from Cookies on Friday, as seen on Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
A big thanks to Sarah at Taste of Home Cooking for hosting! Click on the link below to check out the other delicious swap recipes!
