If you ever find yourself craving a sweet treat with a truly irresistible texture, Chewy Coconut Bars are about to become your new go-to dessert. These golden bars capture the best of both worlds—crisp edges and a perfectly chewy, rich center—making them a hit at potlucks, bake sales, or afternoon coffee breaks. The combination of buttery batter and sweet toasted coconut makes each bite pure tropical bliss, and the prep is so easy, you’ll want to make them again and again. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe for Chewy Coconut Bars will quickly earn a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Chewy Coconut Bars is refreshingly simple, with every ingredient serving a purpose in creating their signature flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters—every component brings the recipe together in harmonious, coconut-laden chewiness.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and helps the bars hold their shape while staying soft and chewy.
- Baking powder: Just a little bit adds gentle lift, so the bars don’t turn out too dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the subtle flavors.
- Unsalted butter, melted: The secret to moister, chewier bars, plus a lovely buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with coconut.
- Light brown sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like notes and extra chew thanks to its molasses content.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together while adding extra richness and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a lovely warmth and depth.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: The star of the show—it provides both intense coconut flavor and the signature chewy texture.
How to Make Chewy Coconut Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures the bars bake evenly right from the start. While the oven heats up, grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or, for easy removal, line it with parchment paper. This little step makes the bars a breeze to slice and serve with clean edges every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking these together ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, preventing any uneven rise or bitter pockets of baking powder. Setting the dry mix aside helps streamline your process for the next steps.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Take a large bowl and combine the melted unsalted butter with the light brown sugar. Mix this duo until you have a smooth, glossy base—a minute or two with vigorous spoon or spatula action works. The combination of melted butter and brown sugar gives the bars their iconic moistness and the most glorious caramel undertones.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, crack in the large eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat this mixture until everything is blended and creamy. The eggs will transform the batter, helping it to become thick, rich, and ready for coconut!
Step 5: Bring it All Together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Don’t overmix—just stir until you no longer see streaks of flour. Then gently fold in all that sweetened shredded coconut. The coconut should be evenly distributed, making sure each bite delivers plenty of chewy goodness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If you’re tempted by the scent wafting from your oven, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing so they hold their shape beautifully.
How to Serve Chewy Coconut Bars
Garnishes
To make your Chewy Coconut Bars even more delightful, consider giving them a little finishing touch. A dusting of powdered sugar is both elegant and effortless, while a drizzle of melted chocolate or a drizzle of caramel can take them over the top. For extra texture, sprinkle a bit of toasted coconut or even a pinch of flaky sea salt right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet coconut bars with something light and refreshing, like a bowl of mixed tropical fruit (think pineapple, mango, or kiwi). They’re also wonderful served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to make dessert a little more decadent. And let’s be honest—a cup of hot coffee or tea on the side is always a winning combination.
Creative Ways to Present
Chewy Coconut Bars can be dressed up or down for any occasion! Serve them on a pretty platter at a brunch buffet, stack and tie a few with baker’s twine for lunchbox treats, or wrap individual bars in cellophane with a decorative label for a homemade gift. You can even cut them into triangles for bite-sized mini treats at parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After slicing, simply place your Chewy Coconut Bars in an airtight container. They stay soft and irresistible for up to four days at room temperature. If you’re layering them in the container, pop a sheet of parchment between layers so they don’t stick together and lose their lovely shape.
Freezing
For longer storage, these bars freeze wonderfully. Arrange the completely cooled Chewy Coconut Bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to pre-freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment separating each layer. They’ll keep fresh for up to three months—just defrost at room temperature whenever you get a craving!
Reheating
If you like your bars a little warm (who doesn’t?), you can pop an individual bar in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back their just-baked softness and releases all the coconutty aroma. If you’re feeding a crowd, arrange the bars on a baking tray, cover with foil, and warm in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened?
Yes, you can substitute unsweetened shredded coconut, but the bars will be less sweet and slightly drier. If you go this route, consider adding a tablespoon of extra sugar or a drizzle of honey to balance things out.
How do I know when the Chewy Coconut Bars are done baking?
Look for golden edges and a set center; a toothpick inserted should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake, or you might lose some of that signature chew!
Can I double the recipe for a bigger batch?
Absolutely! Simply double all the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time, so keep an eye on them toward the end.
What can I add to put my own twist on this classic?
The possibilities are endless! Mix in chopped nuts (like pecans or almonds), mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even a hint of citrus zest to make your Chewy Coconut Bars uniquely yours.
Are these bars suitable for a gluten-free diet?
As written, the recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can swap in a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free Chewy Coconut Bars that are just as chewy and delicious.
Final Thoughts
Bursting with sweet coconut flavor and a satisfyingly chewy bite, Chewy Coconut Bars are the kind of treat that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that travels well and stores like a dream, these bars are well worth a spot in your baking rotation. Give them a try—I have a feeling they’ll become one of your new favorites, too!
Print
Chewy Coconut Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chewy Coconut Bars are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of coconut with a chewy, satisfying texture. Perfect for coconut lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Combine and bake: Stir in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Fold in the shredded coconut. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For extra texture and flavor, you can add nuts or chocolate chips.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
