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Caramel Coconut Bars
Top Delicious Recipe Team

Caramel Coconut Bars

These soft and gooey bars feature three delicious layers: shortbread cookie crust, caramel coconut filling, and a milk chocolate drizzle. This recipe is inspired by Samoas Girl Scout cookies.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 279

Ingredients
  

  • 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)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center of the oven. Line an 8x8 metal baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  2. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, salt, and flour for several minutes until crumbly but combined. The mixture should hold together if you press it between your fingertips. Dump into the prepared pan and press into an even layer (I use the bottom of a measuring cup). Bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, proceed with the filling.
  3. Place butter, brown sugar, honey, cream, and salt in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is simmering with bubbles throughout. Simmer for two minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and coconut.
  4. Pour the filling over the crust and smooth into an even layer. Return to the oven for 12 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or the microwave. Be sure to do this very slowly so the chocolate doesn't seize. Add the melted chocolate to a piping bag or ziptop bag. Snip the very corner off and drizzle the chocolate over the bars in a zigzag pattern. Note: I like to cut the bars before adding the chocolate. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired. Allow a couple hours for the chocolate to firm up.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 1gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 134mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25g

Notes

The use of heavy cream in the caramel filling is crucial, as it adds richness and creaminess that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar and honey. This fat content helps to create a silky texture that ensures the caramel seamlessly melds with the crunchy coconut topping, resulting in a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

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