Gooey Coconut Bars

Indulge in a symphony of textures and flavors with these irresistible Gooey Coconut Bars. Featuring a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust as the foundation, these bars are layered with a luscious filling of sweetened shredded coconut, velvety smooth sweetened condensed milk, and fragrant vanilla extract. Baked to golden perfection, the topping turns irresistibly gooey with hints of caramelized coconut, creating a dessert bar that’s equal parts chewy, crisp, and sweet. Ready in just 40 minutes, these easy-to-make treats are perfect for potlucks, afternoon snacks, or satisfying your coconut cravings. Enjoy them on their own or paired with a steaming cup of coffee for the ultimate indulgence.

Nutriscore Rating: 38/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1.5 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave some overhang for easy lifting later.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, melted butter, and salt. Mix until a crumbly dough forms.

Step 3

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth, compact crust.

Step 4

Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, or until it just begins to set but is not browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, mix the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 6

Spread the coconut mixture evenly over the partially baked crust, smoothing it out with a spatula.

Step 7

Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and gooey.

Step 8

Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 9

Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 12 squares or your preferred size and serve.

Step 10

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	817.1 grams (817.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3349

Total Fat 167.70g	215%
Saturated Fat 114.30g	572%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 393mg	131%
Sodium 1398mg	61%
Total Carbohydrate 430.20g	156%
Dietary Fiber 12.30g	44%
Total Sugars 311.80g
Protein 49.30g	99%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 1187mg	91%
Iron 8mg	43%
Potassium 1815mg	39%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.0%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 50.2%