Coconut Bars

Coconut Bars are a simple, indulgent treat with a buttery base and rich, chewy coconut topping. Sweet, golden, and lightly crisp around the edges, these bars are perfect for dessert trays, holiday baking, or an easy afternoon treat.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword chewy-coconut-bars, coconut-bars-recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Cooling Time 4

Total Time 4 55

Servings servings

Calories 266kcal

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup salted butter melted
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups shredded sweetened flaked coconut divided use

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with parchment, leaving a 2 inch overhang. Spray bottom and sides with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl use a whisk to sift together the flour, brown sugar and salt. Once combined, add the melted butter stirring until fully moistened.
Press (or spread) the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until light brown and set, around 15 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce the oven setting to 325°F.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, flour, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract coconut extract and salt until blended.
Stir in 3 cups of flaked coconut until evenly distributed. Pour the coconut mixture over the crust then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup coconut. (It's fine to add more than 1 cup to the top!)
Bake until the top is light golden brown, around 40 minutes. The filling should be set when the pan is gently shaken. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Lift the coconut bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
Store in an airtight container chilled in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

- Nuts: You could add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crust.

- Graham Crackers: You could use crushed cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs in place of flour for the crust.

- Coconut: You could adapt this recipe using unsweetened coconut. Taste the filling and adjust the level of sweetness to your taste.

- Sweetened Condensed Milk: If you can find coconut sweetened condensed milk, you can use it and omit the coconut extract.

Nutrition