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Home » Cookies Bars & Candy » Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

March 18, 2015 by Melissa 19 Comments

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Perfectly gooey with the delightful combination of crushed pineapple and flaked coconut these Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars are the perfect handheld sweet treat that everyone will love.

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

What’s The Difference Between Chess Bars And Gooey Butter Cake?

Gooey butter cakes have been rotating through Southern kitchens for eons, it seems. Made with a cake mix foundation and transformed into a variety of flavor combinations, they remain a Southern dessert favorite for potlucks and holiday parties. Gooey butter cake is also widely known by a different name. The same concept and technique is used to make them but, they’re referred to by some as chess bars  or chess squares. No matter what they’re called, it all spells delicious for me.  

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

The Island Inspired Flavor Combination Doesn’t Disappoint In These Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

I love the combination of pineapple and coconut and thought I’d try it out in these chess bars. The end result did NOT disappoint. Gooey bites of island inspired gooey deliciousness in each and every bite. How could I go wrong? Bakers of all skill levels can make these types of bars and gooey butter cakes because they’re uber simple to make. The only challenge is not to over bake them. When chess bars are done, they will still have a “jiggle in the middle” when gently shaken. As they cool, they’ll setup and should be allowed to cool before you attempt to cut into bars. Other flavors to try are these Cookies and Cream Chess Squares and Cheesecake Chess Squares.

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

 

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

  • Rectangular Baking Dish
  • Stand Mixer
  • Cut and Serve Spatula
  • Dessert Plates


Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars
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Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Cooling Time3 hrs
Total Time1 hr 5 mins
Course: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pineapple-coconut-chess-bars
Servings: 30 pieces
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks) melted separately
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 15 oz can crushed pineapple well drained
  • 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside. 
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer orr with an electric hand mixer, beat together the cake, mix, 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter and 1 large egg. Press onto the bottom of the baking dish.
  • In the same mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar. remaining 1 stick of melted butter and vanilla. Add 3 large eggs. Continue to beat for 2 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Mix in the crushed pineapple and flaked coconut by hand. Pour over the crust.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center still "jiggles" when gently shaken. Cool in pan on a cooling rack to room temperature before cutting into bars.
  • Store leftovers chilled.
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars

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MORE FROM MELISSA'S SOUTHERN STYLE KITCHEN!

Filed Under: Cookies Bars & Candy, Desserts, Holiday, Southern Comfort Food Tagged With: chess bars, coconut, dessert bars, gooey butter cake, pineapple, pineapple bars

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Comments

  1. Connie Branecki says

    March 18, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    These do look delicious! Once again , I have coconut in the house, I buy it when its on sale, but I can never decide what to do with it. There are so many desserts to choose from! This looks like somthing my family will like , I know I will! Thanks Melissa!

    Reply
  2. Melissa says

    March 18, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    My pleasure Connie ☺

    Reply
  3. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    March 19, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    Wow, I was going to make a pineapple coconut coffee cake to take to a function on Saturday. I think you have just changed my mind. These look MUCH better.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    March 21, 2015 at 7:43 am

    In the recipe it says 1 stick of melted butter added to the cake mixture but then it says to add remaining 1 stick of butter to the cream cheese mixture but the recipe only calls for 1 stick of melted butter divided so how much is suppose to go in each mixture

    Reply
    • wilma Gaustad says

      July 17, 2016 at 12:17 pm

      The recipe calls for two sticks of butter, which equals 1 cup.

      Reply
  5. Melissa says

    March 21, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    The recipe calls for 1 cup of butter. That is equal to 2 sticks. So, 1 stick goes into the crust. 1 stick in the filling.

    Reply
  6. Linda says

    March 25, 2015 at 1:49 am

    This recipe was made for me! Thank you for your wonderful recipes. Have to do this, maybe this weekend.

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    March 25, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Hi Linda, I’ll share with you anytime my friend. ☺

    Reply
  8. Mary @chattavore says

    March 28, 2015 at 2:46 am

    These sound amazing! I’ve never thought of pineapple and coconut in chess bars. Yum!

    Reply
  9. Liz says

    May 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    Thank you Melissa for the nice bar recipes.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      May 7, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      My pleasure Liz ☺

      Reply
  10. Aly says

    May 25, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Did you ever think of substituting the milk with coconut milk for a more pina colada flavor?

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      May 25, 2015 at 9:13 am

      There’s no milk in this recipe.

      Reply
  11. Senia johnson says

    June 18, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    These are amazing, soooooo delicious

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      June 19, 2015 at 8:10 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Ruth says

    January 16, 2016 at 6:48 pm

    My crust looks nothing like the pictures. It looks more like slightly moistened sand…pressed it into the pan but dont think its going to come out. I feel one stick of butter and one egg is not enough moisture for a whole cake mix. ????

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      January 16, 2016 at 6:54 pm

      I assure you it is. The butter should be melted and mixed into the cake mix, it sounds as if perhaps you cut it into the cake mix. Chess bars also known as gooey butter cakes all begin this way no matter the flavor. It works every time.

      Reply
  13. Amy says

    June 28, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    Can I freeze these

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      June 28, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      I think you could just be certain you cool them completely before wrapping to freeze and thaw them in the refrigerator.

      Reply

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hello,my name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.

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