Chocolate-Coconut Layer Bars

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + chilling

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Oct. 02, 2022
I’m a huge fan of Nanaimo bars, the no-bake layered dessert named for the city in British Columbia. For fun, I reinvented this treat with coconut lovers in mind. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Chocolate-Coconut Layer Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup cream of coconut
  • FILLING:
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons cream of coconut
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk
  • TOPPING:
  • 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil
  • 3 Mounds candy bars (1-3/4 ounces each), coarsely chopped, optional

Directions

  1. Microwave butter on high until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in cookie crumbs, coconut and cream of coconut until blended (mixture will be wet). Spread onto bottom of an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
  2. For filling, beat butter, cream of coconut and extract until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. Spread over crust.
  3. For topping, microwave chocolate chips and oil until melted; stir until smooth. Cool slightly; spread over filling. If desired, sprinkle with chopped candy bars. Refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar (calculated without chopped candies): 229 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 124mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.