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Judy John

Easy Coconut Bars Recipe

These easy coconut bars layer buttery crust with chewy sweet coconut filling for a simple crowd pleasing homemade dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
Coconut Filling
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Square Baking Pan
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Parchment Paper
  • Freezer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven and line square baking pan with parchment paper before mixing crust ingredients.
  2. Combine flour, melted butter, and brown sugar until crumbly sandy texture forms evenly together.
  3. Press crust mixture firmly into pan creating smooth compact base for chewy coconut filling.
  4. Bake crust briefly until lightly golden around edges while preparing sweet coconut mixture carefully.
  5. Whisk condensed milk, vanilla, and egg until creamy smooth texture develops fully inside bowl.
  6. Fold shredded coconut gently into filling mixture coating evenly without crushing texture completely today.
  7. Spread coconut filling across warm crust evenly before baking until top turns golden beautifully.
  8. Cool bars completely before slicing neat chewy squares with crisp buttery edges for serving.

Notes

Bake slightly less for softer chewy bars or longer for crispier toasted edges and firmer texture. Freeze cooled bars individually inside airtight containers for easier desserts later. Chill bars before slicing for cleaner assembly handling. Add chocolate drizzle, almonds, or lime zest for flavor customization. Store covered up to five days.