Description

Grandma’s Coconut Chews are a delightful, chewy dessert bar featuring a buttery crust topped with a rich, coconut-infused filling. Simple to make and perfect for coconut lovers, these bars pair a soft, sweet base with a moist, flavorful coconut topping, creating a nostalgic treat enjoyed by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or brown rice flour for GF recipe)
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 cup all-purpose flour. Stir the mixture until it is well blended and forms a dough.
Press and Bake the Crust: Press the prepared crust dough evenly into the bottom of the greased or lined baking pan. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove it and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or brown rice flour for gluten-free), and 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut until fully combined.
Add Filling and Bake: Pour the coconut filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. If doubling the recipe, bake for 25 minutes instead.
Cool and Slice: Once the baking time is complete, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Serve and enjoy your chewy coconut bars!

Notes

You can substitute brown rice flour for all-purpose flour in the filling to make this recipe gluten free.
Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better crust texture.
Use sweetened shredded coconut for a richer flavor, but unsweetened coconut can be used for a less sweet version.
Let the bars cool completely before slicing to maintain their shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: coconut chews, coconut bars, coconut dessert, chewy coconut bars, easy coconut recipe, coconut treats, baking with coconut