If you’re searching for the ultimate sweet treat that balances gooey caramel, toasted coconut, and luscious chocolate all on a buttery shortbread base, Caramel Coconut Bars are just what your dessert dreams are made of. The layers of caramel and coconut meld with the chewy chocolate drizzle for bite after craveable bite. Perfect for parties, lunch boxes, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these bars have a way of vanishing fast—don’t be surprised if you find yourself sneaking back for seconds.

Caramel Coconut Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things refreshingly simple, relying on pantry-friendly ingredients that work magic together. Each plays a tasty role in the overall texture and flavor of your Caramel Coconut Bars. Here’s what gives them their signature taste:

Unsalted Butter (½ cup + 6 tablespoons): Softened butter creates the rich shortbread crust and brings silkiness to the caramel layer, so don’t substitute with margarine!
Brown Sugar (⅓ cup + ¾ cup): Brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-like sweetness, ensuring both the crust and filling come alive with caramel flavor.
Salt (¼ teaspoon + scant ½ teaspoon): A pinch of salt in both the crust and filling balances the sweetness and really makes the caramel pop.
All Purpose Flour (1¼ cups): Flour serves as the foundation for the crust, making it sturdy enough to hold all that sticky, gooey goodness on top.
Honey (2 tablespoons): A hint of honey in the caramel brings floral notes and helps with that beautiful chew.
Heavy Cream (¼ cup): Cream ensures the caramel stays lusciously smooth and creamy without getting grainy.
Sweetened Shredded Coconut (1¼ cups): The coconut is key for a chewy, tropical finish in every bite—don’t skip it!
Pure Vanilla Extract (½ teaspoon): Vanilla rounds out all the flavors and gives subtle warmth to the filling.
Milk Chocolate Chips (¾ cup): Drizzled over the top, milk chocolate adds a silky-sweet and slightly creamy counterpoint.
Flaky Finishing Salt (optional): This is for sprinkling on top—a little surprise crunch and a burst of salty flavor that makes each bite unforgettable.

How to Make Caramel Coconut Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

First things first: preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the center. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with foil or parchment, letting it hang over the edges for easy removal. Lightly grease the surface. This step ensures your Caramel Coconut Bars release effortlessly and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix and Bake the Crust

Next, grab your mixer and beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, salt, and flour for several minutes. You’re looking for a crumbly dough that still clumps together when you pinch it—kind of like wet sand. Dump those sweet crumbs into your prepared pan and press them into an even layer, using your fingers or the flat bottom of a measuring cup. Pop it into the oven for 15 minutes to set while you whip up the caramel coconut filling.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Coconut Filling

While the crust bakes, get your caramel filling underway. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, heavy cream, and salt. Stir occasionally until the mixture is bubbling all over. Let it simmer for a solid two minutes—this thickens it up and really deepens the caramel flavor. Take it off the heat, stir in the vanilla and sweetened coconut, and get ready for some swoon-worthy sweetness.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake Again

Spoon that gorgeous caramel coconut filling onto your freshly baked crust and spread everything into a smooth, even layer. Slide it back into the oven for another 12 minutes. This second bake sets the filling, giving you those luscious, golden edges. Let everything cool completely on a wire rack before you move on to the chocolate topping.

Step 5: Drizzle on the Chocolate and Finish

Now comes the show-stopping final flourish. Melt the milk chocolate chips gently—think double boiler or in the microwave in short bursts so you don’t scorch them. Pour the melted chocolate into a piping bag or a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and drizzle over the cooled bars in a joyous zigzag. For best results, cut your Caramel Coconut Bars before you drizzle to keep the chocolate neat on every piece. Sprinkle with flaky salt if you love that sweet-and-salty hit, and let the bars sit for a couple of hours so the chocolate sets. There you have it: layers of magic, ready to devour!

How to Serve Caramel Coconut Bars

Garnishes

Sprinkling flaky finishing salt right after the chocolate drizzle not only gives your Caramel Coconut Bars eye-catching sparkle but also a burst of texture and flavor that keeps people coming back for more. For extra flair, try a dusting of toasted coconut or a drizzle of extra chocolate. Trust me, your dessert platter will be irresistible!

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of sweetened whipped cream to create an over-the-top dessert experience. Light, fresh fruit—like berries or pineapple—offer a nice, tangy balance to all that caramel richness. If you’re serving these at a party, a hot cup of coffee or cold milk will never go amiss alongside Caramel Coconut Bars.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your bars into tiny squares for easy party bites, or serve larger rectangles as a decadent plated dessert topped with a scoop of your favorite ice cream. For a playful twist, stack a few bars and tie them up with rustic kitchen twine for a charming edible gift. Presentation turns these Caramel Coconut Bars from simple snacks to true showstoppers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Caramel Coconut Bars tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Their texture actually improves after a little rest, as the flavors meld, making them even more irresistible as the days go by. Just remember to keep them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.

Freezing

Certainly! These bars freeze beautifully. Simply arrange them in a single layer (or between parchment sheets) in an airtight freezer-safe container. Caramel Coconut Bars will keep well for up to 2 months. To serve, just thaw at room temperature—no one will guess they weren’t made fresh that day!

Reheating

If you prefer your bars warm and gooey, reheat them individually in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. Be careful with the chocolate topping—it can melt quickly—so a short zap is all you need. Just enough to make the caramel a little melty and the whole treat feel extra decadent.

FAQs

Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened?

Absolutely, but keep in mind that unsweetened coconut will give a drier, less sweet result. For the signature chewy, candy-bar texture of Caramel Coconut Bars, stick with sweetened if you can.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13 inch pan. You may need to add another couple of minutes to the baking times, but keep an eye on those golden edges for doneness.

Do I have to use milk chocolate for the topping?

Not at all. Dark, bittersweet, or even white chocolate chips work beautifully. Each brings its own unique flair, so pick your favorite or mix it up for a swirl of colors and flavors on top.

Why line the pan with parchment or foil?

This makes removing the bars a snap—no more digging around with a spatula or risking broken edges. Pull up the overhanging edges to lift the whole batch out and cut clean, neat squares every time.

How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

Pre-baking the shortbread crust is key! Giving it a head start in the oven ensures it stays crisp and sturdy beneath all that luscious caramel coconut filling.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend Caramel Coconut Bars enough—they’re always a crowd-pleaser and have a way of disappearing faster than you’d think! If you’re looking to impress friends, delight your family, or simply treat yourself to something special, these bars are a must. Dive in and share the love—you’ll be amazed how often you come back to this recipe.

Caramel Coconut Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 23 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 47 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Caramel Coconut Bars are a delectable treat with a buttery crust, a luscious caramel coconut filling, and a chocolate drizzle on top. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!

Instructions

Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 metal baking pan with foil or parchment paper and grease it. Beat butter, brown sugar, salt, and flour until crumbly. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Filling: In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, cream, and salt. Simmer, then stir in vanilla and coconut. Pour over crust and bake for 12 minutes.
Topping: Melt chocolate, drizzle over bars, and sprinkle with salt. Allow to cool and set before cutting.