Satisfy your sweet tooth with these Chocolate Coconut Bars. Layers of gooey coconut and rich chocolate make this treat a dream come true for coconut lovers. Trust me, this dessert will have you reaching for seconds (or thirds!) in no time.
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Coconut Chocolate Bars
Coconut adds a tropical flair to any dish. Of course, my favorite way to eat coconut is always with chocolate because it enhances the nutty flavor. This chocolate cream of coconut cake and this coconut chocolate pie are two of my all-time favorites.
However, when I need a quick dessert, I reach for a box of cake mix. This week, I modified my easy coconut bars to create a chocolate version.
With a sweet coconut filling and a rich chocolate glaze, these bar cookies are guaranteed to be a hit with your whole family.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Amazing flavor combo. The rich chocolate and sweet coconut combine perfectly in these magic bars. They are guaranteed to make you smile!
- Easy to make. This recipe is easy to assemble using a cake mix as the base. It's perfect for busy schedules or sudden cravings.
- Crowd-pleasing dessert. Planning a family gathering, hosting a party, or just craving a sweet treat? These bars are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Main Ingredients
This simple chocolate coconut bars recipe calls for a basic cake mix as its base, making it a quick option for coconut lovers.
- Chocolate Cake Mix - This recipe only uses the dry powder. Any brand works, but make sure it is 15 ounces.
- Milk - Provides moisture to make the dough.
- Unsalted Butter - Set it out ahead of time so it can soften.
- Large Egg - Provides the moisture needed to make a dough.
- Almond Extract - Gives a great flavor to the chocolate and coconut.
- Shredded Coconut - Use sweetened coconut flakes for the best flavor and texture. If you prefer a less sweet option, use unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - You need one 14-ounce can of sweetened milk, NOT evaporated.
- Chocolate Ganache - Heating heavy cream and dark chocolate chips over low heat makes a silky smooth topping.
How To Make Chocolate Coconut Bars
Our chocolate coconut cake bars are a delicious and simple dessert that comes together in minutes
- Make the cookie crust. Mix the dry cake mix, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until a soft dough forms.
- Stir together the topping. Add the shredded flakes to a bowl, then pour the sweetened condensed milk. Stir until combined.
- Assemble the bars. Press half the dough evenly into a prepared pan, then spread the gooey mixture on top of the crust. Crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Bake and cool. Place in the oven and bake until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Remove and then place on a wire rack. Cool completely before adding the glaze.
Storage Recommendations
Keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. However, if you are keeping them longer, place the container in the fridge for up to one week.
Tips and Tricks
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make it easier to remove the bars after baking.
- Try a different cake mix. While chocolate adds a rich flavor, a vanilla cake balances the coconut flavor.
- For a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped nuts on the melted chocolate before it sets.
- Use sweet, condensed coconut milk to add more coconut taste to the bars.
- Stir caramel bits into the coconut layer before baking to give it a sweet caramel flavor.
FAQs
You can use different cake mix flavors, such as yellow, white, or even a spice cake mix, for a unique twist. Each will give the magic cookie bars a slightly different flavor profile.
You can mix chopped nuts, caramel bits, or toffee pieces into the coconut filling for added texture and flavor.
Let the bars come to room temperature if refrigerated before cutting them with a sharp knife. Warming the knife slightly by running it under hot water and then drying it off will also help get clean cuts.
More Easy Coconut Desserts
- Coconut Nutella Cookies
- Coconut Bundt Cake
- Coconut Cheesecake Brownies
- White Chocolate Macaroons
- Coconut Cheesecake Bars
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Recipe
Chocolate Coconut Bars
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these Chocolate Coconut Bars. Layers of gooey coconut and rich chocolate make this treat a dream come true for coconut lovers. Trust me, this dessert will have you reaching for seconds (or thirds!) in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 - 15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a glass 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Beat the cake mix, milk, melted butter, and extract until a soft dough forms. Press a little more than half the dough in the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Stir the sweetened condensed milk and coconut until everything is coated. Spread the mixture evenly over the dough in the pan.
- Crumble the rest of the dough over the coconut mixture. Bake for 25-26 minutes. Place on a wire rack and let it cool completely.
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute on high. Stir until creamy.
- Spread the chocolate over the top of the cooled cake bars. Let the chocolate set before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make it easier to remove the bars after baking.
- Try a different cake mix. While chocolate adds a rich flavor, a vanilla cake balances the coconut flavor.
- For a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped nuts on the melted chocolate before it sets.
- Use sweet, condensed coconut milk to add more coconut taste to the bars.
- Stir caramel bits into the coconut layer before baking to give it a sweet caramel flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 343Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 254mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 3gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in June 2013. It was updated and then republished in July 2024.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
They look wonderful! I have some choc cake mix & cream cheese bars I made a couple years ago that use a choc cake with sweet cond milk but instead of coconut, use cream cheese. Yours look sooo fudgy and perfect!
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik
These sound heavenly...! And that sounds like a good call with the electronics - I'm sure it will be good for them, although they might now see it that way 😉
Happy Valley Chow
What a wonderful recipe, those bars look and sound delicious! Can't wait to try 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Oh em gee, Jocelyn-- these brownies are the ultimate! Like Mounds bars but BETTER because they're chewy chocolate brownies with frosting! Bring these to BHF, will ya? 🙂
Carol
Oh you've hit my weak spot! Definitely need a hike to walk these off!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Oh these look amazing! I think I'm drooling just looking at them. I love coconut in treats!
Nicole Underwood
I need these, in my mouth....RIGHT NOW!!!
Shiloh Barkley
My hottie is going to love these!
Kristi
I have been having the same feeling with electronis lately. It frustrates me so much sometimes that kids would rather sit with an electronic then get outside.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know!! My siblings and I practically lived outside when we were growing up!!
Tieghan
Well, I am sure you have noticed, but I love coconut! Actually, I think I am becoming a tad obsessed. I hope my readers do not mind. Anyway, these bars are incredible! YUM! YUM!
Sounds like you guys had a fun time even with the bugs and boy are you brave for limiting the electronic time this summer! Way to go you and I hope it goes well!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!! I have noticed! Great minds think alike 🙂 Coconut is one of my all time faves. I'm sure your readers don't mind. I certainly don't!
Wendy
I think you are amazing, Jocelyn! You take something as average as cake mix and turn it into this incredible chocolate coconut confection! I don't know how you think these things up, but I sure am glad that you do!
Limiting screen time for kids is usually harder on the parents (because we have to listen to the moaning and groaning and pleaaaaaasing) than on the kids 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you SO much Wendy!! I just love sprucing up cake mixes! 😉 And you are absolutely right. It really will be harder on us than them.. I'm going to have to put my ear plugs in a lot! Lol
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
I don't think the tropics ever looked more tasty! Jocelyn these look like my favorite mounds bars turned into fudgy perfection 😀 No wonder they are too dangerous to leave in the house!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awwww thanks so much Jess!! They do resemble the Mounds bars, but I think these are just a little better! 😉 Yes, they had to leave the house immediately!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Heavenly Jocelyn - just heavenly! I am going to have to be imposing electronic limitations myself this summer - we'll see how the boys deal 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Trish!! Good luck to both of us then!! ☺
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
What a great recipe! Coconut and chocolate - YES. I hope you had a great trip! I'm worried about electronics over summer. She's going to use them too much I think!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!! We did have a great trip! We were sad to see it end. Yes, those electronics... It's so easy to just let them use them... It's gonna be an interesting summer!
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
You come up with the BEST coconut treats!! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awe, thanks so much Jennifer!! 🙂
Vanessa
Kids nowadays don't seem to appreciate the simple things It's nobody's fault, it's just a generational thing as I'm sure there are things my grandmother or great grandmother, and so on, would cringe at, things that I don't know about that they did.. There is so much beauty in this world, good for you for "forcing" them to enjoy it. Lol.
Those bars looks amazing. I don't know if I would have the willpower to not eat the entire batch.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much! I definitely agree on it being a generational thing. Who knows how it will be for our grandchildren! Yikes! Haha!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Yes! Love that I am not the only parent who thinks nature and life should awed at! This looks delicious!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!! There are so many beautiful places and things out there, and I'm glad we got to experience it some last week! 🙂
Jess
Oh my goodness these look like heaven! PINNED!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much!! They seriously tasted like heaven too! 🙂
Jenn
These look fabulous and there is no way I could resist them.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jenn!! I had no will power over these, so I'm glad I got them out of the house!! 😉
Cathy
I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven't already this week. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/. AND starting Wednesday June 4th I will be hosting a Wordless Wednesday link party. Hope you will join us!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy