These Chocolate Coconut Bars are filled with a delicious coconut filling and topped with a sweet chocolate glaze. This is the perfect dessert for the coconut lover in your life.
Last week we were at the beach, and we decided to take a day to explore some state parks. Everyone had gotten a little sunburned throughout the week, and we thought a day out of the sun (kind of) would be best.
We packed up a cooler with some water and apples and headed out. It was about a 30 minute drive to where we thought the park was, so we let the kids play on their ipods until we got there.
As we got closer to the state park, the drive was getting prettier and prettier. The road we were on had trees growing up and around the road creating a tunnel of tree branches and Spanish moss. It was gorgeous!
We told the kids to go ahead and shut off the electronic devices and look at the beautiful scenery. Imagine our disbelief when our youngest piped up and asked "what is scenery?".
Kids these days are so used to being on their ipods, Xboxes, and TV that they are unimpressed with the nature and beauty that is all around them.
It might be a very long summer for our kiddos because we are giving them a set time limit each day for all those electronic devices. They are going to have to use their imaginations and their toys this summer.
We finally found one of the parks and set out on a trail. Of course I forgot to pack the bug spray. This made for a very interesting (and funny) hike.
There were some flies and mosquitoes that just wouldn't stop buzzing our heads. It was so comical as I watched our city kids walk the trail swatting the air like mad. I don't think they were liking this "scenery", but we pressed on and finished the hike.
We even found another park and did another 2 mile hike through the sand and forest. This one had a little less bug swatting. I think they were starting to get used to this outdoor scene.
It also might have been the snake we found up in a tree that had them distracted from the bugs. The rest of the hike everyone's eyes were looking towards the heavens. No one wanted a snake to drop down uninvited on their head.
Chocolate Coconut Bars
I wish I had been swatting away these chocolate coconut bars after I made them. They were so down right delicious that I just couldn't stop eating bite after bite. I have a thing for adding coconut to my baked goods. These Caramel Coconut Bars and these Lemon Magic Bars are two of my favorite coconut dessert bars.
Plus, cake mix bars are so easy to make. Cake mix, butter, and milk makes an incredible cookie base for the gooey coconut layer.
Lucky for me (and my jean capris), my husband decided to visit the guys from his old job the next day. I pretty much threw all the chocolate bars into a box and swatted them out the door. Then I promptly wished I had kept one hidden bar to munch on.
These coconut bars are dangerous to have in the house, just so you know. I wouldn't make them unless you have willpower of steel or have a picnic to go too. Just thought you might like to have that little warning before giving them a try.
But seriously, do make them!!! I promise you, if you love coconut and you love chocolate, these gooey bars will be your new best friend. I definitely can't wait to make another batch of these Chocolate Coconut Bars.
Looking for more coconut desserts?
- Coconut Cream Cheesecake Pie Bites
- Coconut Nutella Brownies
- Coconut Oreo Icebox Cake
- White Chocolate Funfetti Macaroons
- Coconut Cheesecake Bars
Chocolate Coconut Bars recipe and video:
Chocolate Coconut Bars
These Chocolate Coconut Bars are filled with a creamy coconut filling and topped with a chocolate glaze. Easy dessert bars to satisfy that chocolate and coconut craving.
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake mix
- â…“ cup milk
- â…“ cup butter, melted
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Combine the cake mix, milk, and melted butter until it forms a dough. Press half the dough in the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Mix together the sweetened condensed milk and the coconut. Spread evenly over the dough in the pan.
- Crumble the rest of the dough over the top of the coconut mixture. Bake for 25-26 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute. Stir until creamy.
- Spread the chocolate over the top of the cooled cake bars. Let the chocolate set before cutting into bars. Makes 24 bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 102mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 3g
Sharon Rose
I have made these twice since I found you! You're right, these are dangerous bars. We added chopped almonds to the second batch. Wow, tasted like my favorite "healthy" candy bar, 'cause almonds are healthy, right? Great recipe, keep them coming...Happy New Year 2022!
Susie
Do you put these in the refrigerator after to harden??
Jocelyn
No you do not need to refrigerate these. I added the chocolate topping once the coconut bars were cooled. I hope that helps and you enjoy the recipe.
Angela
I only have a 8×11×2 pan will that still work for this recipe
Jocelyn
Yes, that size pan should be fine too. It may need to bake a minute or two longer though because it is slightly smaller. I hope you enjoy the bars!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Oh my! Coconut desserts are always irresistible to me! Add chocolate and I am craving these now! Thanks for the link to my bars!
Renee
Pinned and Yum'd this! Can't wait to try these!
April Y.
I would love to make these! They aren't to overly sweet are they?
Jocelyn Brubaker
They are sweet, but I don't think extremely over the top sweet. Try them and see what you think 🙂
Sara
Quick question: Do I combine the dry cake mix with the butter and milk, or do I prepare the cake mix according to the box, and then also add butter and milk?
Jocelyn Brubaker
You will mix the DRY cake mix with the butter and milk and then press it into the pan. Do not use the box directions...it will not turn out right! I hope you enjoy the bars!
Anna
Thank you SO much for posting the recipe so that it's easily copied and printed out. I've gotten so tired of blogs where the recipe is tucked into a dozen different places between what are essentially the same photograph of the food.
Well done!
Debby
Hi! I already have some sweetened shredded coconut. By any chance, is this what you used in your recipe for the Chocolate Coconut Bars? Or did you use regular, unsweetened shredded coconut? Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm pretty sure I used sweetened because that's usually what I buy. You could use either one...the sweetened will obviously be a little sweeter. I can't wait to hear what you think 🙂
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
Chocolate and coconut is only the best combination EVER!! Yumx10, Jocelyn!!
Vicki Bensinger
Wow these sound amazing. I love anything with coconut and chocolate so I'm certain I will love these. Great recipe and so simple. Now to check out those samoas. Those are my all time favorite Girl Scout cookie.
Mackenzie
Yum! These look awesome Jocelyn!
Alyssa Rivers
These look amazing! And I love coconut so I know that I would love these!
Tery
Hey love the recipe, but can't read it on my iPhone because of all the options to pi it to Facebook or Pinterest or tweet. It's a shame. To inconvient to deal with. Should come with an option to close it till you need or want it. You have it posters at the bottom. Sorry some of its covered so excuse the misprint.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so sorry to hear that the buttons make it unreadable. I will be looking into a better mobile version. Thank you for letting me know.
ashley - baker by nature
You know how much I love chocolate and coconut... these bars look heavenly!!!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
Eek! Look how soft and gooey and perfect those look - there's no way I could stop at just one of those!
We're giving our kiddo a 30-minute a day time limit on electronic "stuff" (he's not old enough for an iPod yet, but he does have a DS and a LeapPad). Fortunately, he has lots of camp activities and t-ball this summer, so hopefully it won't be a huge issue. I'm not the best example, since I'm often on the computer blogging or checking social media on my phone...maybe I need a time limit, too! 😉
Julia
How can I choose from all these incredible desserts? Thanks for sharing these!