These chocolate coconut bars are super easy to make (you don’t even need a mixer) and they’re extremely addictive! If you love chocolate and coconut, you have to try these!
You guys. I’m still in vacation mode and I’ve been back for 10 days. I haven’t even unpacked my suitcase—I decided just to live out of it until it’s empty, which prob won’t be until summer since it’s full of sundresses.
Obviously baking a cake is out of the question right now. Too much work! So something easy-yet-delicious is in order. Enter CHOCOLATE COCONUT BARS! They’re kinda like the candy bar (you know which one) but better.
Here’s what’s going on: Oreo crumb crust, creamy coconut filling, thick layer of chocolate ganache. Can ya dig it? I know I can!
Why you’ll love these chocolate coconut bars
- They’re super easy to make
- You don’t need a mixer or any other special equipment to make them!
- The ingredients are pantry staples you probably already have on hand
How to make chocolate coconut bars
To make the Oreo crumb crust, either throw your Oreos in a food processor or put them in a large zip-top bag and crush the cookies with a rolling pin.
If you go the zip-top route, I recommend using two or three bags. Take it from me, the bags break easily and you’ll have crumbs everywhere if you aren’t careful.
Combine the crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a foil-lined 13-by-9-inch pan. Bake that for 5 minutes, then cool for 20 minutes. (Leave the oven on—you’ll use it again for the filling.)
For the filling, just stir sweetened condensed milk, coconut, vanilla, and salt together until combined. Spread that over the crust—damp fingertips are helpful to spread the filling without breaking the crust.
Bake that for about 20 minutes, until the coconut turns golden at the edges. Cool completely, then make the topping.
For the topping, heat heavy cream until it just begins to steam, then pour it over chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit for 3 minutes, then stir to melt the chocolate. Spread that over the coconut layer and pop it in the fridge to set the ganache.
Slice and serve! And devour.
As an aside, I recommend making these chocolate coconut bars only when you have plenty of people around to help you eat them. They’re highly addictive! Chewy, chocolatey, coconut-y. . .they’re just a little too good :).
More easy desserts (in case you’re hungry)
Chocolate Caramel Bars
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
Easy Tiramisu
Did you make these chocolate coconut bars? Awesome! Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. Be sure to post a pic on IG too–tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see (and share!) your creations!
Chocolate coconut bars are an easy dessert, requiring just a few simple ingredients, and they're a must for anyone who loves chocolate and coconut!
- 30 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13- by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line the pan with foil, allowing several inches to hang over the edges. Spray the foil lightly with cooking spray and set pan aside.
- Place the Oreos in the bowl of a food processor and process until the cookies are fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and process again until fully combined. (Or put the cookies in a large zip-top plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin, then place in a bowl and stir in the butter.)
- Press the mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 20 minutes, then make the filling.
- Stir the sweetened condensed milk, coconut, vanilla, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Spread into an even layer over the crust—damp fingertips are helpful here.
- Return to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut layer is golden around the edges. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for completely.
- Once your bars have cooled to room temperature, put the chocolate chips in a medium heat-proof bowl.
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to steam. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 3 minutes.
- Whisk the chocolate and cream together until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Spread the topping over the cooled bars and refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set. Slice into bars and serve.
Uneaten bars can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
These look so good Kelsie and so easy too, perfect for busy days 🙂
Hope that you are having a great weekend 🙂
Marie says
*divine
Marie says
These look seriously addictive and that topping looks diving.
Marissa says
Chocolate and coconut is one of my favorite combinations! So easy to make too! These look addictively delicious!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I really like the chocolate/coconut combo. They play so nicely together! These look terrific — thanks.
Karly says
Yum! These look amazing and are super easy too! Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
haha you must still be in vacation mode if you haven’t even unpacked!! Talk about wishing you were still on holiday haha! I do that, too. Always disappointed I’m back so it takes me forever to put everything away (plus I usually get busy doing everything else so I forget until I can’t find things haha). Hope you had a lovely trip!
I love coconut and chocolate so I am drooling like crazy looking at these gooey gooey delicious bars!! They are calling my name and really need a few right now! And the oreo crust puts them over the top! YUM Sign me up for 5 bars, please! At least 😀
Mary says
I love the combination of coconut and chocolate, they bars wouldn’t last an entire day in my house. Wait did you say oreo crumb crust!! So easy to make
Laura says
Oh, Kelsie. These look magical! I can’t wait to give them a try. I knew I needed a reason to buy some more coconut. And Oreos. Thanks for the recipe- pinning!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
These would totally be my downfall, Kelsie! I am obsessed with anything chocolate and coconut. These make me think of a Bounty bar, which is pretty much my favorite. YUM! PS – I’m the worst for unpacking. It’s usually a month before I empty my suitcase, haa!
Carlee says
What a fun and easy dessert. They have my husband’s name written all over them. I’ll have to make some for him sometime when I need some bonus points 😉
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I hope you had a wonderful vacation, girlfriend! I don’t blame you for not unpacking! That is always the worst – it’s not only boring, but it is also a reminder you are back to reality (and that reality probably doesn’t include warm sunshine or sundresses anytime soon). Womp womp. Luckily you have these decadent bars to cheer you up! These look insane! I looooove coconut, so these have me swooning!!!!! YUM!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
OMG! You can’t even believe what I’d do to these bars! They look so, so, so good. I would eat the whole pan!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
Chocolate and coconut is one of my favourite combos (right behind chocolate and peanut butter), so I’m pretty sure I could put a dent in this batch of chocolate coconut bars. And I love that they’re not complicated. Perfect for a Monday!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
OH MY! I just might have to make these for my daughter this week!! She (and I 😉 ) will love them!!
Milena says
I love the Oreo + butter foundation for all the goodness that comes after. And this recipe is definitely doable on a weeknight – I wouldn’t mind having a couple of bars with my coffee through out the week. Growing up the inspo bar you speak of was called differently that it is in the US and was always marketed to conjure up images of sunny beaches, blue water and skies, white sand.. All of these things I’d gladly welcome right about now:) Pinned.
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
Sounds so easy!! And that chocolate on top is calling my name. I hope you had an awesome vacation!! It’s always so hard to get out of vacation mode hehehe
David @ Spiced says
Wait. I don’t understand the problem with the zip-top bags. Oreo crumbs all over the counter? Sounds like dinner is served to me! 🙂 Seriously, though, I love this recipe, Kelsie. It looks and sounds delicious! Welcome back from vacay, my friend. Are you ready to go back now?? If it’s too hot there, you can always come this way to cool off…just bring desserts with you, ok?
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Chocolate and coconut is such a winning combination Kelsie and has always been one of my favorites! It always reminds me of Easter. Can wait to try these. They look fantastic!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I bet they are highly addictive! Chocolate + coconut is one of my fave flavour combos, probably just as much as chocolate + pb so that’s saying something! Can’t wait to give these a go 🙂 Pinned! Happy Monday, Kelsie!