These easy coconut bars deliver sweet, chewy perfection loaded with tropical coconut flavor. With just 10 minutes of prep, you can have this homemade dessert out of the oven in 30 minutes flat. Keep reading for the simple recipe!
A Coconut Lover’s Dream
Baked with a shortbread-like buttery base chock-full of toasty coconut, these bars strike the ideal balance between crispy edges and a soft, fudgy center. Each bite bursts with rich, natural coconut essence. The bars keep for several days stored airtight at room temperature.
Customize with Add-Ins
Jazz up these classic bars by mixing in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor. The basic batter also makes a wonderful base to build upon with other mix-in goodies.
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Chewy Coconut Bars Recipe
Description
Indulge your coconut cravings with these easy homemade chewy coconut bars. Just 10 minutes of prep time yields a tropical, sweet coconut treat the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and cook until browned, swirling constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in brown sugar until combined.
- Whisk in eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking powder until fully incorporated. Fold in flour and coconut.
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes until set around edges but still slightly soft in the middle.
- Allow bars to cool completely in pan before cutting into squares. Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Butter Browning: When browning the butter, keep a close watch as it can quickly go from browned to burnt. Browning butter adds a nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the bars. The butter should achieve a golden-brown color with a fragrant, nutty aroma.
- Mixing Technique: When adding the brown sugar to the melted butter, ensure it’s well combined before incorporating the other ingredients. This step helps in creating a smooth texture without any sugar lumps.
- Egg Incorporation: Ensure the eggs are at room temperature before whisking them into the mixture. This helps in achieving a uniform batter, as cold eggs might solidify the butter, creating lumps.
- Baking Time: Oven temperatures can vary, so it’s crucial to start checking the bars a few minutes before the suggested baking time ends. They are done when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft. This ensures the bars remain chewy once cooled.
- Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Cutting them while hot may cause them to fall apart.
- Parchment Paper: Using parchment paper not only prevents sticking but also makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan for cutting. Ensure the paper extends over the sides of the pan to use as handles.
- Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them, though they might lose some of their chewiness.
- Customization: Feel free to add nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans for an added crunch. Chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate can also enhance the flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: These bars can be served as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more decadent dessert.
- Coconut: Using sweetened flaked coconut adds sweetness and texture to the bars. If you prefer a less sweet treat, unsweetened coconut flakes can be a good substitute, but you may need to adjust the amount of brown sugar accordingly.
Following these tips and notes should help you achieve perfect Chewy Coconut Bars that are a delight to share with family and friends. Enjoy your baking!
