Description
These Coconut Bars are soft, chewy, and filled with sweet coconut flavor. Featuring a buttery shortbread-style crust and a rich, sweet coconut topping, this easy-to-make dessert is perfect for holidays, potlucks, or everyday indulgences.
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Coconut Filling
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of the bars.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, combine the melted butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly mixture.
- Form Crust Layer: Press this crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, ensuring a compact and uniform layer.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 12 to 15 minutes until it turns lightly golden, setting a firm base for the coconut filling.
- Mix Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly pale.
- Add Condensed Milk and Vanilla: Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the egg mixture for sweetness and flavor depth.
- Incorporate Coconut and Flour: Fold in the sweetened shredded coconut and tablespoon of flour, combining well to distribute the coconut evenly throughout the filling.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the coconut filling over the warm crust, spreading it out evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the filling is set and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Slice: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps them firm up properly for easier slicing.
- Serve: Once cool, slice into 12 bars and enjoy as a sweet treat or dessert.
Notes
- Use unsweetened shredded coconut instead of sweetened for a less sweet variation.
- Bars will firm up as they cool, so ensure they are fully cooled before cutting to maintain shape.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for freshness.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw fully before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
