Homemade chocolate coconut bars.

Homemade Chocolate Coconut Bars

These homemade chocolate coconut bars are a delightful treat that combines the rich, creamy taste of coconut with the lusciousness of chocolate. They’re easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests with a homemade dessert. Whether you’re a fan of coconut or just love chocolate, these bars will hit the spot!

Ingredients

For the Coconut Layer:

• 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Layer:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (for melting chocolate)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

1. Line the Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray or coconut oil.

Step 2: Make the Coconut Layer

1. Mix Coconut Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until well combined.
2. Spread the Mixture: Press the coconut mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spatula or your hands to ensure it’s packed tightly.

Step 3: Chill the Coconut Layer

1. Refrigerate: Place the dish in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the coconut layer.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Layer

1. Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.

Step 5: Assemble the Bars

1. Pour Chocolate over Coconut: Once the coconut layer has set, pour the melted chocolate over the coconut layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
2. Tap to Level: Gently tap the baking dish on the counter to level the chocolate.

Step 6: Chill and Cut

1. Chill Again: Return the dish to the refrigerator and let it chill for another 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate is fully set.
2. Cut into Bars: Once set, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve: Enjoy these chocolate coconut bars as a sweet treat or dessert. They can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Coconut Bars

• Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality chocolate and unsweetened coconut.
• Customization: Feel free to add chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate layer for added flavor and texture.
• Storage: These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for a firmer texture or at room temperature for a softer bite.

Nutritional Information (per bar, based on 16 servings):

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fat: 9g
• Sugar: 10g