Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars
Chocolate and coconut is one of my all-time-favorite flavor combinations. When I saw this recipe, it reminded me of a coconuty combination of chocolate chip cookie bars and gooey bars, so I knew I had to try it out.
I really enjoyed the fact that the coconut was present, but not overpowering. I love the texture the flaked coconut gave to these bars. Now I know some people are not fans of coconut. It’s kind of like cilantro. Some people love it, others, not so much.
I took these bars to a friend’s house for a cookout. Luckily no one there was a coconut hater. Or if they were, they didn’t say anything about it. Store these bars in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature a bit before serving them.
One Year Ago: Patriotic Quake Cake
Two Years Ago: White Bean and Avocado Sandwich
Five Years Ago: Inside Out Stuffed Peppers
Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars
Yield: 25 bars
Ingredients:
For the Base
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
For the Topping
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter
1 egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Heat the oven to 350 F and spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, butter, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix until it just forms a cohesive mass then add the chocolate chips and stir until they are evenly distributed. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
In the same bowl combine the cream cheese, butter, egg, flour, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix until very smooth and creamy, then stir in the crisp rice cereal, coconut, and chocolate chips until well mixed.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the base then bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown all over, puffed, and just set at the edges while the center is still just a little wobbly. Cool completely in the pan then chill for at least two hours. Once chilled run a thin knife around the edges of the bars and turn out of the pan. Cut into squares.
Recipe from Evil Shenanigans
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
A slice of this? Yes please!
Oh my…a slice? I’ll take the whole pan, please. 🙂
I am a firm believer in combining foods that are great. The photos are making me drool!
So amazingly decadent! I love these. So would my boyfriend 🙂
You should simply call these the “Yes, Please” bars.
Those bars look perfect!
Mmmmm, she said trying not to drool.
Yes please is right! I need to make these as soon as possible!
Yours turned out so pretty! I’m so glad you liked them! 🙂
Holy cow! I agree with your husband. I’d beg for those bars, for sure.
Oh, I say “yes please,” too! YUM! Those both sound and look delicious!!! A must make!
xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls
I’ve seen these around and each time I think, MUST bake, soon! This time around is no different except I AM going to make these asap. Thanks for the shove, I mean nudge! 🙂
~ingrid
I’ve made these before and I still think about them. Your pictures are beautiful. I’m adding you to my blog list!
wow! heavenly! –hoteles en veracruzt
I’ll take two! These bars look great. I am saving the recipe!
Wow, these look simply amazing! I think I would say “Yes Please” too!
i just printed this off. SO excited to try it!
My family would go insane for this! Newest follower here!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
These are some of my favorite bars! Yours look great 🙂
Oh wow, these look absolutely delightful! I could probably eat a whole pan 🙂 Happy weekend!
Sues
Yum, yum, yum! I could do some serious damage to those. They look heavenly.
I’ve been browsing your blog and these look delicious! Well, everything looks delicious but I’m a cheesecake girl and my husband is definitely a chocolate chip cookie kind of guy so I can’t wait to try these!
I made these last week. They were amazing!