Buttery Coconut Bars Recipe
Get ready to fall head over heels for these Buttery Coconut Bars! Packed with rich, golden flavor and flaky coconut, they’re that perfect little treat you crave after dinner or with your afternoon coffee. Every bite balances melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness with sweet, chewy coconut—seriously, I promise these will disappear fast. Whip them up with just a handful of pantry staples and experience a burst of coconut-crazy deliciousness you’ll want to share with friends (or keep all to yourself, I won’t judge!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Buttery Coconut Bars is truly in their simplicity. Each ingredient brings its own magic to the table, creating the perfect soft, golden bar with a crave-worthy coconut finish. Here’s what you need:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): This is the base of all that rich, beautiful flavor and luxurious texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps everything bake up perfectly.
- Brown sugar, packed (1/4 cup): Brings a hint of molasses and extra moisture, giving the bars that lovely caramel note.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds a little extra richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A must for that warm, comforting bakery aroma and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Keeps the bars tender but sturdy enough to hold their shape.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a slight lift and keeps the texture pleasantly cakey, not dense.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Sharpens the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Sweetened shredded coconut (1 1/2 cups): The star of the show! It adds chewiness, toasty flavor, and irresistible texture in every nibble.
How to Make Buttery Coconut Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and either line it with parchment paper (my favorite trick for easy lifting and no sticking) or give it a light greasing with butter or nonstick spray. This simple step guarantees your Buttery Coconut Bars come out neat and beautiful every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
With a large mixing bowl and an electric mixer (or a strong arm and a trusty spoon), cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whip it all up until the mixture is light and fluffy; this aeration gives your bars that tender bite and rich, almost caramel-like undertone.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they’re smoothly combined. The egg does all the heavy lifting here, holding the dough together, while the vanilla infuses the base with warm, classic bakery flavor.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing gently. Stop as soon as it’s just combined—overmixing can toughen up your bars, and we want them tender!
Step 5: Fold in the Coconut
Now comes the fun part. Stir the sweetened shredded coconut into the dough, making sure it’s evenly distributed. If you want to get fancy, you can toast the coconut first for next-level flavor (just a few minutes in a dry skillet until golden, then let cool).
Step 6: Press and Bake
Spoon your dough into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly all the way to the edges with a spatula or your hands. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The smell escaping from your oven at this point? Pure heaven.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Patience makes perfect! Let your Buttery Coconut Bars cool completely in the pan. This helps them set up, so you’ll get neat, beautiful slices. Once cool, lift them out with the parchment or cut directly in the pan into sixteen glorious bars.
How to Serve Buttery Coconut Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your Buttery Coconut Bars with a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy finish, or scatter a few extra toasted coconut flakes on top for extra crunch and eye appeal. If you’re feeling really indulgent, a light drizzle of dark chocolate or a dollop of freshly whipped cream makes these bars party-ready.
Side Dishes
Pairing these bars with something slightly tart, like fresh berries, helps balance their buttery richness. They also play beautifully with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream on the side, turning a humble treat into dessert royalty. For coffee fanatics, a cup of rich, strong brew is the ultimate companion.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get creative with your Buttery Coconut Bars, stack them in a rustic tower for a bake sale, pack them in cute boxes as homemade gifts, or arrange them in paper cupcake liners for an elegant dessert table spread. You can even cut them into smaller squares for coconut bites at parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These bars are surprisingly sturdy and keep beautifully! Store any leftover Buttery Coconut Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. The flavor actually deepens a bit, and the texture stays soft and chewy—just the way you want it.
Freezing
If you (miraculously) have extras, these bars freeze like a dream. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil, or store in a freezer-safe container. They’ll be delicious for up to two months. Just let them thaw at room temp for about thirty minutes before enjoying.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth, microwave a bar for about 10 seconds, or pop a tray in a 325°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes. This revives the buttery flavor and gives the coconut a fresh burst of aroma, making your kitchen smell dreamy all over again.
FAQs
Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened?
Yes, you can swap in unsweetened shredded coconut. Just keep in mind that the bars will be less sweet, so you may want to add a tablespoon or two more sugar to the dough.
Why do I need to cream the butter and sugars together?
Creaming incorporates air into the butter, which gives the bars their light texture while also ensuring the sugars dissolve and caramelize during baking, making your Buttery Coconut Bars extra delicious.
Can I toast the coconut before adding it to the batter?
Absolutely! Toasting the coconut boosts its flavor and adds a toasty depth. Just watch it closely, as coconut can burn quickly. Let it cool before mixing into your dough.
Can these bars be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture.
How do I get clean cuts when slicing the bars?
For perfect slices, let your Buttery Coconut Bars cool completely. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat, bakery-worthy bars every time.
Final Thoughts
There’s a special kind of joy in baking something as simple, comforting, and delicious as Buttery Coconut Bars. I hope you dive in, get coconut all over your kitchen, and share these sweet, buttery bars with your favorite people. They truly are a treat worth making again and again!
Print
Buttery Coconut Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buttery Coconut Bars are a delightful treat with a rich buttery flavor and a sweet coconut crunch. Perfect for coconut lovers, these bars are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in coconut: Stir in the shredded coconut.
- Press into baking dish and bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, toast the coconut before adding it to the batter.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
