What better than a Valentine Jar filled with Valentine Chocolates!

Chocolate covered almonds just in time for Valentines Day!

I found these cute small canning jars with pink and red“I love you lids”at Target, in there dollar bullet area. (I love to find things in that section, many good deals and my head spins with fun ideas to use things for….its kinda like a mini dollar store)

I melted some healthy choc chips added coconut oil and simply stirred in some almonds until nicely coated. Then using a fork I just lifted the almonds out of choc, dropped them onto parchment paper and let them get firm for a few hours. If your impatient like me you can put them in frig.

Then Fill the jar. Add a heart punched tag inside on the top so it’s a surprise upon opeing. Then simply tie on some red twine. Done, fun easy and sweeeet!

You could use any jar for these. Look around and see what you might have on hand

For chocolate the skys the limit you can use milk choc. Dark choc, or stevia sweetened choc as I did. It all works the same. Ive made these soooo many times .

Here’s Recipe for the Chocolate covered almonds:

Melt ½ cup choc chips – I used lilys dark choc with stevia (I wanted healthy sweet treat here)
1 tsp organic coconut oil (it’s a solid like shortening but healthier for you and does not change the flavor of your candy or baked goods)

Heat in small pan on VERY LOW heat, stir continually until only melty, then . Remove from heat, and just continue to stir until smooth. If you leave on the heat to long you will burn it. It literally ONLY takes a few minutes . Then stir in the almonds and your vanilla extract until it looks right to your liking . I used 1 Cup whole almonds.
¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional, we like it! almond extract is also good for a varitation)

Stir until well covered in chocolate, drop 1 almond at time on parchment only takes a couple minutes! shake with a lil sea salt if you desire. Let cool and store in refrigerator or they will get a lil melty if stored in warm place. I serve them at room temp.

Then just Fill a fun jar for valentines and your sweet treat is ready for giving. You can Also can make tis into almond bark by just spreading the whole pan out on to a pc parchment to thinness you like and let chill til hard then break your almond bark into pcs. This is an easy no fail recipe with room for lots of creativeness.

Note: DO NOT let any water, not a drop in your pan of chocolate, and be sure your pan and stirring spatula are completely DRY. Water will cause your chocolate to sieze and become a hard paste very quickly, And it only takes 1 drop water to cause chocolate to seize (get hard and not melt).

Next I use the dab of coconut oil in this recipe, so my chocolate is just a lil softer like a candy bar chocolate and not rock hard like a chocolate chip. Note: If you use butter for candy dipping you’ll have to be sure its pure real butter, because many companies put water in their butter. So if you’re having trouble with your chocolate seizing and not melting nicely for dipping……consider the Butter brand you’re using, not your brand of chocoloate. Therefore again, why I use Coconut oil as its, is a healthy option and works perfect everytime.

Chocolate Covered Almonds

A fun, sweet gift for your valentine!

Ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon organic coconut oil
1 cup whole almonds
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

Put chocolate chips and coconut oil in small sauce pan.
Melt over very low heat.
Continue to heat and stir until just melted.
Add vanilla extract and stir.
Stir in almonds until covered.
Drop almonds individually on parchment paper to dry.
Let cool and store in cool place (such as refrigerator).

Notes

1. Add sea salt while almonds are drying to add a little flavor.

2. Place heart shaped note inside jar.

3. Add twine to jar (or decorate as you like).

4. Variation: Almond bark: chop almonds into small pieces before adding to melted chocolate. Pour over parchment paper and chill. Break up into small pieces.