Description
Indulge in the delightful layers of homemade Caramel Coconut Bars, a dessert that perfectly marries a buttery shortbread crust with a gooey caramel coconut filling, all topped off with rich milk chocolate. Inspired by the beloved Samoas Girl Scout cookies, these bars offer an irresistible combination of flavors and textures that are sure to impress at any gathering. Ideal for parties, bake sales, or a sweet treat after dinner, anyone who tries them will be asking for seconds. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this delicious dessert in no time!
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
- ⅓ cup (70g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups (157g) all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 6 tablespoons (86g) unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
- ¾ cup (156g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup (60g) heavy cream
- scant ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups (105g) sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (125g) milk chocolate chips
- flaky finishing salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- For the crust: Cream together ½ cup butter and ⅓ cup brown sugar until light. Mix in ¼ teaspoon salt and 1¼ cups flour until combined. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- For the filling: Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Stir in ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup heavy cream, and a pinch of salt until combined; simmer for 3-4 minutes. Mix in 1¼ cups coconut and ½ teaspoon vanilla.
- Spread the filling over the crust and bake for another 12-15 minutes until bubbling.
- Sprinkle ¾ cup chocolate chips on top immediately after removing from the oven, let sit for 5 minutes, then spread evenly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (40g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg