These chewy coconut bars are easy to make and oh-so-delicious.
Starting with a buttery crust, these coconut bars are then topped with a sweet, coconut-filled topping. They are perfect for any occasion and will easily be the first sweet gone at the party!
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Easy Coconut Bars
When I was making these buttery coconut bars I had a vision. I wanted them to be the perfect, chewy bar that you couldn’t get enough of. I used sweetened condensed milk to give that rich chewy texture similar to magic bars. The result is a treat that we couldn’t get enough of! I served them at my gender reveal and everyone couldn’t get enough!
- A simple recipe using pantry ingredients.
- Easy to make-ahead for your next party or gathering.
Ingredients
- Crust: This is a simple 3 ingredient crust; flour, butter, and brown sugar. Substitute with a pre-made crust to make this dessert even easier!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Eggs
- Flour
- Brown Sugar
- Butter: Use unsalted butter. Skip the salt if you use salted butter.
- Vanilla
- Salt: Salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors of these bars.
- Coconut: I use sweetened shredded coconut, just like in my 3-ingredient coconut macaroons, but unsweetened will work as well. Just use whatever you have on hand!
Variations: Add in some chocolate chips or your favorite chopped nuts like pecans or almonds.
You will also need mixing bowls and a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
How to Make Coconut Bars
- Combine crust ingredients and bake until lightly golden.
- Combine coconut layer ingredients in a bowl and spread over crust.
- Bake until golden brown and set.
- Let cool and cut into bars.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days (if they last that long).
More Delicious Bars
Easy Magic Bars – similar to coconut bars but with chocolate chips and pecans
Easy Lemon Bars – a simple lemony filling
Gingerbread Bars – a holiday treat
Coconut Bars
Equipment
- 9×13 baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
Coconut Layer
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking pan by lining with parchment paper.
- To make the crust, in a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and salt. Stir in 1 cup melted butter and mix until well combined.
- Press crust into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Reduce oven to 325°.
- To make the coconut layer, in a large bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, eggs, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in 3 cups coconut.
- Spread coconut layer evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining coconut over top.
- Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
How would these freeze?
I haven’t tried freezing these coconut bars, but I think they would freeze just fine. If you try, I would love to hear how they turn out!
I have a question. I am making these delicious looking bars right now and see that the recipe calls for a Tablespoon of vanilla extract. I don’t think I have ever made a recipe that called for so much. I am using a teaspoon instead. Am I going to regret that?
Hi Sue, these bars do in fact use 1 tablespoon of vanilla. But I am sure with just 1 teaspoon they would still be delicious. I would love to hear how they turned out!