I found this recipe when I was searching for something to make for a friend’s birthday treat. Luckily for me, that just happened to be a friend who loves coconut. I don’t get many chances to bake with coconut, so I take every opportunity I get.
These bars feature a wonderfully, gooey, coconut-y mixture on top of a thin brownie. You know I’m not going to stray too far from chocolate. That little bit of chocolate is just the right amount for the topping. These are gooey, sticky little bars, but they’re worth the mess.
The only thing I might change about these would be to add some pecans to the top. I think sprinkling some coarsely chopped pecans on top for the last 10 minutes or so of baking could be interesting. These would become very much like bite-sized German chocolate cakes.
If you can exercise some patience, I recommend waiting a day to eat these. I tried one right after they cooled and was only moderately impressed. But, I decided to give them another try the next day and was pleasantly surprised to find that they were much, much better. For all you coconut fans, waiting a day to eat them would certainly be a test of your will-power. And it will be worth every minute.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more more pan
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 7 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut – reserve 1/2 cup for sprinkling on top
Instructions
To make the crust:
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang. Butter bottom and sides of foil.
Using a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in microwave. Whisk in sugar and salt. Whisk in egg, then sugar and flour. Mix until smooth. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
Bake for 10-15 minutes. The sides should be beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan. Set aside to cool.
To make the topping:
Whisk eggs with sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour and coconut.
Drop mounds of topping onto chocolate base. Spread and press into base with moistened fingers. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut.
Bake 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool completely in pan. Then, remove from pan using aluminum foil overhang. Peel off foil and cut into bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Dang, girl! These look divine. Seems like a perfect flavor combination. And I’m loving the lead photo!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:19 am
these look good! i made something like this a couple years ago, but the proportion between brownie and coconut was 50-50. i don’t think you can go wrong either way when it comes to coconut and chocolate.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Haha. I’ve had this recipe printed out in my file for like almost a year now… I just haven’t gotten the nerve to try them yet. I LOVE coconut, but from the pic on Marthas website they didn’t look so gooey and yummy as your pics look.
This recipe is officially moving from the “will maybe make one day” stack. To the “must.make.now.” Yum!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I made these a month or so ago and LOVED them! They taste amazing… and now I want to make them again!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I love anything coconut. These looks very delicious. Perfect with a cup of hot tea…mmmm
February 12th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Being a mega coconut fan, I probably couldn’t wait too long for one of these beauties.
All things coconut….mmmm. And you had me at “black-bottomed!”
February 12th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I just came to your site yesterday while I was looking for a cherry and chocolate chip cookie. Your’s are great. I was looking around your site today and you have some super looking recipes. I happen to be a chocolate, coconut, well almost any nut, lover. And all the brownies, I can’t wait to give them a try. Thanks for sharing.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
these would be far superior to german chocolate cake. why, you ask? more coconut shtuff, less cake! lovely work.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Mmmmm…..These look divine. I love chocolate and coconut together. It’s just the best combination. I can’t wait to make this.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:30 am
That is gorgeous. As it happens, I love the chocolate coconut combo but even if I didn’t , that would still make me look twice! I might add chopped dried cherries to the coconut too – you know what they say, “Too much of a good thing can be be wonderful”
Beatiful photos!
February 13th, 2010 at 7:03 am
Remember Hello Dollies? They have a graham cracker crust but this elevates that. And of course, they cut out the fuss of measuring sugar and flour and just go straight to the Eagle Brand. And yes, some chopped pecans and a few Belgian chocolate chips in the last minutes could certainly be a FABULOUS thing.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:41 am
These look so great! I love coconut and have had it on the brain for the past week!
February 13th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Those look so yummy. I love coconut and I love chocolate but I like that the chocolate layer on these is really thin so it enhances the coconut but doesn’t overwhelm it.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I also always grab a coconut baking opportunity, as my family are not great coconut fans (I know – weird!) and only rarely feel like eating it. These sticky little bars look delicious – it would be a severe willpower test to wait until the next day to try one!
February 13th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
WOW! thats all i can say! i wish i had a pan sitting next to me right now!!! yummo! thanks for the recipe!
February 13th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
They look delicious! Good to see you updating more often!
February 14th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Can I like the screen? Can’t wait to try these. Thanks for posting!
February 14th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Coconut and brownie?! I’ve never thought to put those together. YUM.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:14 am
I always like coconut flavored things–it reminds me of some of my tropical vacations–pairing it with chocolate is even better!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Normally I don’t like coconut flavored things, but this looks supremely good!
February 15th, 2010 at 11:03 am
They look delicious!
February 15th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Oooh wow these look so good, making me hungry hehe!
February 15th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
These are beautiful, and look so tasty!
February 15th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Just ran into your website! You give me a new idea of cupcake flavor, I have blackbottom cupcakes! http://www.flickr.com/photos/polkadotsaustin/2921644263/ Thank you!
February 16th, 2010 at 11:42 am
oh man – i love all things coconut and these have my name written all over them. they look amazing!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
These look so good! Chocolate + coconut = delish.
February 17th, 2010 at 7:30 am
That looks divine! I love coconut but somehow the people around me don’t fancy it too much so I’m totally with you on the bake with coconut any chance you get thing.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:01 am
It’s like a coconut macaroon bar! Love it.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:50 am
I made these tonight and showcased them on my blog- YUMMY! great recipe, thanks for sharing!
February 19th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I love anything with coconut! These bars look great!!
February 20th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
First time on your site. Fantastic photos! Recipes look pretty awesome too! As a matter of fact, I think I went up a pant size just browsing. I made this recipe from Martha Stewart Everyday Food magazine. They were a big success. You just can’t go wrong with chocolate and coconut. Maybe some almonds and you’ve got an Almond Joy! Trick or Treat for grown ups!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I made these in December and would make them again:
1. Exactly as the recipe is written.
2. Halving the coconut layer and doubling the brownie layer.
3. Only using the coconut layer and baking them as the best macaroons ever.
They were a hit at the party that I made them for.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:19 am
Iam new to this blog and was inspired with the recipes posted here.Will taste this soon and keep following it.Great share..
February 21st, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Love coconut and chocolate. I will have try this for sure.
February 21st, 2010 at 7:23 pm
this looks delicious! thank you for the useful information!
February 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
these coconut bars look yummy!!
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:32 am
These look so good. I’m not much of a coconut fan but these look like something I’m going to have to make. The next time I have enough coconut lovers gathered I’ll be sure to make them!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I’ve been obsessed with coconut lately for some reason–these remind me why!! They look fantastic
February 24th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
This is a dangerous recipe for me. I love coconut and I love brownies. Mmmm. It’s been added to the must try list.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:05 am
are u really an amateur?
they look awesome
February 25th, 2010 at 11:06 am
You have a beautiful blog. I am a newbie to the food blog world and just found your blog. I will let you know when i try some of your recipes.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Okay, I could so make these tonight…well, if I had the ingredients. Gosh they look good!
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:13 am
Totally looks delicious. I’ve got a thing for coconut desserts
Thanks a lot for the instructions.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:55 am
<333 Two of my favorite things in one. Coconut and brownies!!! I really wanna try this one out one of these days. btwww im so glad to see you posting again
March 17th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Mmmm, chocolate and coconut and excelent together. I’m sure my family would love these!
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Wow that second picture is torture! How hard would it be to stick some toasted marsh mellows on the bottom. Love the toasted coconut on the top.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 am
These look so fluffy! can’t wait to make them
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
My bf LOVE peanut butter, this will make an excellent treat for him. Thanks!! love your blog
March 26th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
These look really gooey and delcious–I’m a sucker for coconut and chocolate!
March 27th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Your coconut bars look really yummy. Thanks for sharing. I’ll try this out too. I love the picture.
April 11th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
love this coconut to cake ratio here….so sold on this one
April 13th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Thanks for the great recipe. I also love coconut and will try it at once!
April 29th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Coconut is great in so many different ways! Very pretty bars!
April 29th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Wow, those are beautiful. Toasted coconut is my obsession now, so I’m definitely trying this!
Kira
May 13th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
wow these look amazing, I cant wait to try them…I love anything coconut:)
May 13th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
wow that looks amazing, can’t wait to try it…I love anything coconut:)
June 14th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
My mother used to make these. If you like coconut (which I do!) they’re absolutely delicious. Love your photo too
July 12th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
I tried this recipe myself and it didn’t work out for me. They were really dry. But, I’m inspired to try it again!
September 13th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Wonder why they would be better the next day? Would imagine that they might be denser & hence more chewy once cooled down.. At any rate, they look amazing though and as a coconut lover I am definitely tempted.