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Yep, it’s about that time of year.
The time of year when I really get the baking bug. Good thing is, it’s part of my job, bad thing is, my office is currently overflowing with cookies, cakes and gooey chocolate bars. And I am not joking.
My mom and I share the office that is right off the kitchen and since our pantry is a tinsy bit small for all the people we have in the house, the office has become the place for the overflowing foods… meaning all the desserts.
The plus side, when you hit a little creativity block and need some chocolate to get’s things flowing again… there is plenty of it, right there waiting for you. What?? It works, you should totally try it.
It doesn’t help that both Sunday and Monday were cozy, snowy days. Days that I kind of want to stay in bed (and watch Christmas movies… don’t hate me), but I actually can’t because um, life is a knocking. Lucky for me, life can sometimes mean baking.
I am so lucky. I know it. I do.
I am not lying when I say that I literally spent my weekend baking.
If you are in the area, stop over, I have lot’s of treats!! Although, you see, I have this grand plan. It’s a good one. I am planning to bribe the workers down at the barn with loads of cookies in hopes that they will work day and night to finish up that thing already! It seems as if we have hit EVERY. SINGLE. road block there could be when it comes to that thing. Did I tell you guys about how, as of right now, the barn is not capable of having internet?? Yeah, I know. We are trying to figure something out, but the problem is that Comcast cannot dig a new line because there is this stupid cut off date of when they can no longer dig. In the mountains, the ground freezes come mid to late October so they make these rules that say things like “no digging after October 15th”. Thing is, it has been pretty sunny and warm around here and the ground is not yet frozen. I have to admit this is pretty unusual for this time of year, but hey, work with it! Unfortunately, I guess rules are rules. UGH.
Maybe I can bribe whoever MAKES these rules with cookies and gooey chocolate bars? What do you think?
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Anyway, let’s talk about these chocolate coconutty bars.
I have to say that the title is a bit misleading. While there is tons of chocolate, coconut, crunch and gooeyness in these bars they are not really a caramel bar. The “caramel” topping is similar to caramel, but easier, and better than caramel. What I am trying to say is that I used a combo of sweetened condensed milk, maple syrup and butter to give these bars their gooey deliciousness and I could not be happier with my decision. Actually, I am jumping with joy over them. You will come to see this week, that I am all about sweetened condensed milk right now.
Basically these are glorified seven layer bars. You start with a vanilla cookie base that is soft and sugar cookie like, pre-bake it, and while they’re baking you make the “caramel” on the stove. And all you do for the caramel is toast the butter and then simmer the remaining ingredients together until they thicken and turn a light golden shade. Which means things are getting really good.
Next, you layer. A little chocolate (err, a lot), coconut and some walnuts for crunch. If you are not a nut fan you can leave these out, but I love the flavor and texture they give. You can also swap in whatever YOUR favorite nut is. Then just pour the caramel over the layers and bake until the top gets all caramelized. Ohhmmyygosh. So flipping good.
You can bake these in a 9×13 inch baking dish or divide the dough between two pie plates. The pie plates make these fun for Thanksgiving! And then you actually eat these warm. YESS. You can also totally eat them at room temperature, but warm is always so good. I love warm foods… especially of the chocolate variety.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Warm Toasted “Caramel” Coconut Gooey Chocolate Crunch Bars – best Tuesday treats ever!
OMG I love you recipes, you are an amazing cook. Hope I make this and it comes out like yours. 🙂
Hello,
These look yummy. Do leftovers need to be refrigerated?
Thanks so much!!
Thanks Healthy!! I just leave mine on the counter, covered, but feel free to do whatever you wish. Hope you love them!!
First i’m making these bars asap; they hit me right on the mark!
Hi, read about no internet… have you looked into hughes? I’ve had hughes for going on 20 years. when I moved to the beach there was no internet at all … no Comcast,etc. was lucky to find a wireless phone that worked. found hughes and never have changed even though other companies are now in the area.
I’ve had less than 5 problems over the years with hughes and would highly recommend you try them… good luck
Now this is something my partner & I will sink our teeth into, however is there an ulturnative to salted butter ?
I didn’t read ( all ) previous comments so I’m not sure it may have been asked. The only reason being is I react to butter in a not so fun way after something so yum. Thank you
I’d like to make these in a cast iron pan as it appears you’ve done I one batch of photos. Any changes or recommendations for this route? Does the cookie layer stick to the pan without parchment paper? Love your recipes, your blog has given my home a delcious start to winter.
Mac
Hey Mac, as long as you grease the pan, it shouldn’t stick. Nothing really to change. Hope you love these and thanks so much for the kind words! 🙂
These look amazing! I was wondering if I could substitute light corn syrup for the maple syrup? I can’t wait to try them!
Hi Kris, yup that would be fine. Hope you love these!
This is where I sit and think to myself, where do I get a barn? Sure, I’m in suburbia…but I still want one. 🙂 And I really want these bars. LOVE!
Haha!! I know, I AM SO LUCKY! You can come visit anytime…I mean I do live in a “vacation” town anyway so it is perfect!
Thanks Dorothy! 🙂
Hey these look absolutely amazing btw. Yet I have 3 questions about substitutes. I am a college student soi don’t have an electronic mixer so would store bought cookie dough work? 2. I have imitation vanilla extract is that ok? And last, can you think ofa substitute for nuts. I’m being cautious for those with nut allergies.
Hi! You can actually just mix the dough in a bowl with a spoon until it comes together. It will be dry at first, but it will come together the more you mix it. If you want though,store bought sugar cookie or shortbread cookie dough would also work. Imitation vanilla is honestly no where near as good as real vanilla and I would personally invest in real vanilla. It is just so much better. But yes, if needed imitation vanilla will work. As for the nuts, they can be left out completely or you can swap in chopped pretzels, your favorite candy or really any small and bite sized food that you love and think would work in these bars.
Let me know if you have anymore questions and I hope you love these! THANKS!
Oh these looks magical! What an awesome combo! Love the easy caramel topping! Best of luck getting internet out – that sounds like a terrible rule 🙁
It is a terrible rule! 🙁
Thank you so much, Sam!
This looks magical. I love coconut and chocolate!
Thanks!
These look amazing, anything with chocolate chips and coconut!
Thank you! 🙂
These look AMAZING! I will be making these for my boyfriend to bring in to his coworkers!
I love your blog, thanks for all the great recipes! 🙂
Thank you so much, Emily!! Hope everyone love the bars!:)
And thank you for such kind words. It means so much!! Have a great Thursday!
These look fantastic! I totally want to make this for Christmas! If I wanted to make just one 9 inch pie, would it be possible to cut the recipe in half? Thanks! Love your blog 🙂
Hey Erin, the recipe can easily be cut in half. I actually tried it the other day, worked great! Hope you love the bars! 🙂
These bars are gorgeous, I love the gooey factor and coconut topping. Now if only I lived close enough for a sample! 😉
Thanks Laura!! 🙂
Hope you had a great Tuesday!
These look SO flippin’ good! I feel like I need to make them ASAP just so I can hoard them all to myself.
And the whole chocolate for creativity thing – been there and it works. 😉
Hehe! Thanks Alexandra! Hope you are having a great week!