Tropical Lemon Cream Bars

Transport your taste buds to a sunny island paradise with these Tropical Lemon Cream Bars, a luscious dessert that blends zesty citrus with tropical flair. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, this recipe is layered with a creamy filling made from tangy lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk, pineapple juice, and a hint of fresh lemon zest. The addition of juicy crushed pineapple and sweet shredded coconut adds a delightful tropical twist, making these bars irresistibly refreshing. Perfectly baked until set and chilled to velvety perfection, these easy-to-make dessert bars are ideal for summer gatherings, potlucks, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for a beautifully finished treat that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Keywords: tropical dessert, lemon bars with coconut, summer recipes, pineapple lemon bars.

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 0.5 cups unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 2 whole lemons, juiced (about 1/3 cup lemon juice)
• 0.25 cups pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.5 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 0.5 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 0 optional whipped cream or powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.

Step 3

Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it down tightly.

Step 4

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly while preparing the filling.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, pineapple juice, and lemon zest until smooth.

Step 6

Gently fold in the drained crushed pineapple and shredded coconut, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the filling.

Step 7

Pour the filling over the baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the oven for 17–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the filling is set. The center should still have a slight jiggle but not be liquid.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

Step 10

Once chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish. Slice into 12 squares or rectangles.

Step 11

Optional: Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1094.3 grams (1094.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3293

Total Fat 166.10g	213%
Saturated Fat 101.00g	505%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 408mg	136%
Sodium 1700mg	74%
Total Carbohydrate 421.10g	153%
Dietary Fiber 9.80g	35%
Total Sugars 303.40g
Protein 47.10g	94%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 1316mg	101%
Iron 8mg	45%
Potassium 2153mg	46%

*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: 44.4%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 50.0%