For better or for worse, lots of packaged candy bars are naturally gluten free—and Hershey’s Mounds and Almond Joy bars (at least in the U.S.!) are no exception. Personally, I think it’s for better, since that means that my gluten free son can just trick or treat on Halloween just like his friends (and his sisters) without too much worry.

Classic candy bars like those, which have been around for as long as I can remember, are classic for a reason: the get the flavors juuuuuust right. Since brownies are practically a food group, I’m loving these gluten free Almond Joy brownies (or Mounds, because sometimes you feel like a nut—sometimes you don’t).

You need a brownie layer that’s super dense and fudgy, and our “Little Debbie” Cosmic Brownie copycats from Classic Snacks are just the thing (don’t worry the recipe is reprinted right here on the blog; you know I wouldn’t do that to you!).

I’m very partial to coconut chips (macaroons being a happy exception), so that’s my preference in these almond joy brownie bites. But if you prefer shredded coconut, go with that and don’t look back. My local Trader Joe’s now carries unsweetened shredded coconut, which can otherwise be a bit tricky to find.

If you love coconut and have some extra, take a look at this recipe for GF Chocolate Coconut Cookies from Nicole at Allergylicious. They’re made with coconut palm sugar, too, for a healthier alternative!

Even though these little gems have a few layers, they come together very, very fast and freeze quite well, too. Not to brag (!), but they’re sure to impress if you bring them to a barbecue or a potluck. And when they ask you for the recipe, write it out on a 3-inch x 5-inch index card and pass it off as your own. I won’t tell. :)