If you crave a dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite, you are going to adore this Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe. These bars are a perfect balance of rich, buttery goodness and sweet, tropical coconut flavor, baked into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a casual afternoon treat or for sharing at a gathering, these bars deliver comfort and joy with every square. Once you try this recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this beautiful combination of buttery richness and coconut delight.

Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the flavor and texture just right starts with simple, wholesome ingredients. Each item plays a crucial role in creating that tender crumb and sweet coconut punch you’ll love.

Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup melted: Provides the rich, creamy foundation that makes these bars so luscious and tender.
Granulated sugar, 1 cup: Sweetens the bars perfectly without overpowering the coconut’s natural flavor.
Large eggs, 2: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Infuses a warm, aromatic note that enhances both butter and coconut.
All-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups: Provides structure while keeping the bars light and tender.
Baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon: Helps the bars rise slightly for a gentle crumb.
Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Balances the sweetness and amplifies the buttery and coconut flavors.
Sweetened shredded coconut, 1 1/2 cups: The star ingredient that adds wonderful chewiness and tropical sweetness throughout the bars.

How to Make Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8-inch baking pan carefully to ensure the bars don’t stick, helping you get clean, smooth edges once baked.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar starts dissolving, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky smooth. This step sets the creamy, flavorful base for your bars.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution and prevents clumps, so your bars bake perfectly uniform.

Step 4: Bring the Batter Together

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Over-mixing can make your bars tough, so a gentle hand goes a long way to keep them tender.

Step 5: Add the Coconut

Fold the shredded coconut into your batter, spreading it evenly throughout. The coconut gives these bars their signature chew and tropical sweetness that you’ll fall in love with.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, leveling the surface gently with a spatula. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This timing keeps the bars soft with a slightly crisp edge.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This is the hardest part because the smell is so tempting! Cooling helps them set and makes slicing into perfect squares effortless.

How to Serve Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe

Garnishes

These bars are delightful on their own but adding a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can elevate their presentation and flavor. Toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on top add an extra crunch and a beautiful golden hue.

Side Dishes

Pair your coconut bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a dreamy dessert experience. Fresh tropical fruit like pineapple or mango slices also complement the coconut flavor beautifully without overpowering it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd-pleasing treat, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a pretty platter with colorful paper liners. You can also sandwich a little cream cheese frosting between two bars to make mini coconut bar sandwiches that are perfect for parties or afternoon snacks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The bars maintain their tender, buttery texture best when kept away from moisture and air.

Freezing

You can freeze these buttery coconut bars for up to 2 months. Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving for a quick treat any time.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars warm, reheat them gently in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F / 150°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps bring back that fresh-baked softness and melty butteriness.

FAQs

Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened?

Yes! Using unsweetened coconut will reduce the overall sweetness, which some people prefer. You might want to add a little extra sugar if you like your bars sweeter, but the texture will remain fantastic.

What if I don’t have an 8×8 baking pan?

A 9×9 pan can work too, though your bars may be slightly thinner and bake a bit faster. Keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick a few minutes earlier than the suggested time.

Can these bars be made gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add some separately to maintain the bars’ structure and texture.

Is there a way to make these bars vegan?

For a vegan option, swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use a flax egg or commercial egg replacer instead of eggs. The flavor will be slightly different, but the bars will still be irresistibly soft and coconutty.

How do I prevent the bars from drying out?

Don’t overbake your bars and store them in an airtight container once cooled. Proper wrapping will lock in moisture and keep them soft and buttery for days.

Final Thoughts

You really can’t go wrong with the buttery richness and coconut charm in this Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to keep on hand for whenever a craving hits or when you need to impress guests with minimal effort. Give it a try, and I promise it will become your go-to dessert that everyone asks you to make time after time.

Buttery Coconut Bars That Melt in Your Mouth Recipe

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3.8 from 80 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x

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Description

These buttery coconut bars are a delightful treat that melt in your mouth with every bite. Featuring a perfect blend of rich butter, sweet shredded coconut, and a tender crumb, these bars make an ideal dessert or snack for coconut lovers. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, they offer a deliciously moist texture with a subtle vanilla aroma.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour an 8×8-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
Blend Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
Fold in Coconut: Carefully fold in the sweetened shredded coconut, making sure it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Transfer to Baking Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into 16 squares for serving.

Notes

For a richer coconut flavor, you can toast the shredded coconut lightly before folding it into the batter.
Ensure that the butter is fully melted but not hot when mixing with eggs to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
These bars can be drizzled with melted chocolate or dusted with powdered sugar for extra indulgence.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American