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Ending the week on a salty-sweet note with these Salted Chocolate Coconut Bars. Buttery pie dough, topped with chocolate, homemade coconut caramel, and a generous drizzle of milk chocolate, for good measure. These bars are decadent, easy, and perfect for feeding your family and friends this holiday season. Everyone LOVES these simple to make bars…the combo of sweet and salty is just too good pass up!
They say everything happens for a reason, and if it weren’t for my many, many failed attempts at making a new Thanksgiving pie, I would not be sharing these ooey, gooey, salty, and delicious coconut bars with you all today.
If you follow along on Instagram, you may have seen my multiple attempts at pie making last week. I baked a lot of pies, all of the chocolate variety, and none of which ended up being post worthy. When I say a lot of pies, I mean A LOT of pies. So many that I lost count. I really wanted to create a new chocolate pie that was delicious and beautiful. But for whatever reason, it was just not happening. I had some that came out good, some that were delicious, but none that I was crazy excited about. After days of testing, and finally crafting a pretty pie crust, I finally threw in the towel.
I’m not one to give up easily, but some battles just are not worth it. And the bottom line is that if I’m not overly excited about a recipe, I don’t want to share it.
So, I bowed down to the pies and instead developed these coconut pie bars. And I’m glad I did. Because these bars are for sure one of the better recipes to come out of my kitchen this month. And you know what? They’re a lot easier than a pie, and sometimes easier is better. Especially during these busy times of the year.
After testing out a lot of chocolate pies, I was pretty over chocolate. I know that’s shocking, but again I think I made the same pie over six times. Instead I decided to test out something completely different. Something still chocolatey, but this time full of coconut and caramel.
Really, I can’t begin to describe just how good these bars are.
The base of the bar is a mix between a butter cookie and a pie crust. It’s a little thicker than a pie crust, but just as buttery, and all kinds of deliciousness. I kept the crust simple, because I really wanted the filling to stand out.
And it sure does.
The filling is coconutty, with hints of both caramel and vanilla. It’s just a little sweet, and a little salty.
Best part?
These bars are the easiest to make, and you might already have the ingredients on hand. Perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
Here are the details.
Pre bake the crust so that it has a chance to get golden and toasted before adding the coconut caramel mix. While the crust is baking, make the coconut filling. Bring a little butter, coconut milk, and brown sugar to a boil. Then remove from the heat, and add the vanilla and shredded coconut. This is the heart of the recipe and provides the sweetness and flavor. It’s also just gooey and delicious.
Now pull the crust out of the oven and top it with a layer of semi sweet chocolate. Then spread the coconut mix over the chocolate, and bake until the coconut is toasty.
Finish the bars with a drizzle of sweet milk chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
You can slice the bars while still slightly warm or let them firm up and serve at room temperature. Either way they are truly delicious, but you all know I prefer them warm and gooey.
I know that pie is traditional for Thanksgiving, but sometimes it can be fun to switch things up. Bars are great too. They feed way more people than a pie. They’re easier for people to just grab. And they’re a lot less stress to make.
So bottom line? Give these coconut bars a try this year. They’re chocolate filled, super sweet, and you will not regret making them, promise.
Also, if you need a good hostess gift for Thanksgiving, these bars will do the trick. They’re for sure better than anything you could buy from the store!
If you make these coconut bars be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Salted Chocolate Coconut Bars
Servings: 18 bars
Calories Per Serving: 1970 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Coconut Filling
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup canned full fat coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, whatever you prefer)
- 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 6 ounces milk chocolate. melted
- flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.2. To make the crust. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand-held mixer), beat together the butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add the flour, beating until combined.3. Press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from the oven. 4. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a medium sauce pan, melt together the butter, the coconut milk, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and shredded coconut. 5. Scatter the semi-sweet chocolate in an even layer over the pre-baked crust. Pour the coconut mixture over the chocolate, gently spread to evenly distribute. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is beginning to brown and caramelize.6. Remove the bars from the oven. Drizzle the bars with melted chocolate. Sprinkle with salt. Allow the bars to cool, then slice and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
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How far ahead can I make these for Thanksgiving night?
You can make 3 days ahead of time. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Another epic fail for me, unfortunately, and I followed the recipe to a T
Hey Karen, sorry you had trouble with this. Can I ask what wrong? If you give me some more detail I might be able to help figure out what went wrong for you. Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks! xTieghan
these look amaaaazing!!;) yay for chocolate + coconut. makin em tomorrow??
Thank you Beth! I hope these turn out amazing for you!!
Chocolate AND coconut !!!
Two of my faves❤
If I don’t get called in to work, these will be cooked up in my kitchen today?
P.s. I’m loving my new job ~ flight attendant ✈, but I miss being able to bake whenever my heart desires.
Also, I feel your pain with the 6 chocolate pies endeavor ?
Hi Kristy! I hope you are loving your new job, that is so exciting! Also, I hope you got the chance to make these bars! Thank you!
These look amazing. How do you think they would be with some dark chocolate?
Hey Tracy! Yes, you can use dark chocolate! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
glb,m;dlk
I love these bars, what a perfect treat!
Thank you!
Hey Tieghan,
I love this pie bars and the photos look beautiful. I like how clear your pictures have been and think these bars would be lovely for the holidays! I agree bars are a good holiday treat and wish I were going home to make them (I’m staying at my apt this year). Have you made your thanksgiving list yet? When do you get your tree? I transferred to BU and saw my first Boston snow last night. I hope you’re enjoying the winter hikes. ☺️
Hi Kristin! Thank you so much I hope you try these bars! How are you liking BU?! I bet it was a beautiful night with the snow!
Oh my goodness, this looks so good. I could eat a whole batch.
I am so glad you like this Rae! Thank you!
These look really yum!!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Thank you!
Looks yummy. A perfect holiday treat. I’ll incorporate Some of these crust ideas for a hostess gift I have planned. Then, make these when I get back to town. All my favorite flavors.
Thank you so much Joyce!
Going to miss you guys for thanksgiving but I’ll see ya in a few weeks for Xmas…. bring on the food and cocktails ???
GAIL! Wishing you were coming for Thanksgiving but bring on the Christmas cocktails!! Missing you lady!
Oh my, this is so delicious looking. Early morning and I could eat this if I had it. I just need to know how to make it low carb. HAHA!!
I hope you try these Charlotte! Thank you!!
Oh yuuuum, I could eat this now!!
YES! I hope you try these Ruth!