Homemade Mounds Candy Bars

Homemade Mounds Candy Bars are a delicious homemade chocolate covered coconut candy with a secret ingredient - mashed potatoes. Just a few simple ingredients and you've got yourself the most amazing homemade chocolate covered coconut candy that tastes even better than the real thing.

This easy homemade version is great for children (with the help of a parent) or a first time baker. Fun fact: I made this recipe when I was a kid! Looking for another easy homemade treat? Try Quick Easy Fudge.

Why I love this candy bar recipe

• First of all, it's SO easy to make at home AND much cheaper than the store bought brand. You don't even need a candy thermometer and you don't need a double boiler either.

• Perfect candy for all the coconut fans out there. They also taste a lot like Bounty Bars.

• These homemade candy bars make a terrific gift for someone special during the holiday season or any time of year. All you need is a pretty bow!

• Perfect for satisfying your chocolate craving with a satisfying coconut center. Plus, homemade candy is always the best!

• I've had this chocolate coconut bars recipe in my recipe box since I was a kid. The recipe card is actually written in my 10 year old handwriting. It's tried and true for sure!

What you need

Ingredient notes

Chocolate Chips - I used Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips for this recipe just because they're easy to find in almost any grocery store in the U.S. Plus, they taste great. Any semi-sweet chocolate chip or semi-sweet chocolate bar should work. You could also use milk chocolate chips, if desired.

Potato Flakes - You'll need to make a small amount of instant mashed potatoes for this recipe. I promise it's delicious and you'll never know it's there. Follow the package instructions for making 2 servings. I used a grocery store brand from Aldi.

Vegetable Oil - You can use vegetable oil or light olive oil or coconut oil.

Coconut Flakes or Shredded Coconut - I used unsweetened coconut flakes because I wanted to reduce the overall sugar content of the recipe. If you can't find it, sweetened coconut flakes will work just as well and they're easy to find in most grocery stores.

How to make this homemade mounds bars recipe

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except chocolate chips and oil. You might want to use your hands to mix in all of the powdered sugar.
2. Press mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until firm.
3. Cut chilled coconut mixture into 32 little bars.
4. In a microwave safe medium mixing bowl, melt chocolate chips and oil in microwave for 20 seconds. Stir. Microwave for 20 seconds more. Stir. Repeat if necessary until completely smooth, being careful not to burn the chocolate. If it's too thick, add a little more oil. Dip chilled coconut bars in melted chocolate, using a fork to carefully lift it out and tap excess chocolate off (back into the bowl). Place chocolate covered candy onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Or wax paper. Once you've dipped all of them, place in the refrigerator to set.

Expert Tips

• To make it easier to remove the coconut chocolate bars after they're chilled, make sure to line the bottom of your pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

• You can easily make this particular recipe into Homemade Almond Joy candy by adding an almond to each piece of candy before dipping into melted chocolate.

• If you're a fan of dark chocolate, you can substitute dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips.

• Roll the coconut mixture into balls instead of bars, if you prefer. As you can see from my original handwritten recipe below (circa 1975), that's how I made them back in the day.

Frequently asked questions

How do I store my homemade mounds and how long does it stay good? Store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or you can freeze them for up to a month.

How do I make homemade Almond Joy Bars? Follow this recipe except add one whole almond on top of each coconut bar. Then instead of dipping it into the chocolate, place the coconut candies on a cooling rack that's been placed over a cookie sheet. Pour the melted chocolate carefully over each candy. Refrigerate, the dip the bottoms of each candy into melted chocolate.

Can I double this easy candy recipe? Yes! Just make sure you use a big enough bowl to mix the coconut filling in. Then you will press the coconut mixture into two 9-inch square pans, lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.

Can I use a microwave to melt the chocolate? Yes! Simply melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat another 30 seconds. Stir. Continue until melted completely, being careful not to burn the chocolate.

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