Chocolate Coconut Bars

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 25 min.

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Sep. 01, 2022
With a middle layer of coconut, these sweet chocolaty treats taste similar to a Mounds candy bar! If time is short, don't wait for the chocolate coconut bars to cool—just lay on several thin milk chocolate bars right after you take the pan from the oven and spread them as they melt.
Chocolate Coconut Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 milk chocolate candy bar (7 ounces), chopped
  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine coconut, milk and pecans; spread over warm crust. Bake 15 minutes; cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  3. In a small saucepan, melt chocolate and peanut butter together over low heat; spread over bars. Let stand until set.
Chocolate Coconut Bars Tips

Can you use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk are not interchangeable in recipes because of the differences in consistency and sweetness. While both have had a large portion of the water removed from the milk, sweetened condensed milk is thick and sweetened from added sugar, and evaporated milk is think and runny with the only sweetness coming from the lactose in the milk. Learn more about the differences between evaporated and condensed milk.

How many graham crackers do you need to make 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs?

Crush 8 full-size crackers to make 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs. Placing the crackers in a large shallow bowl, and crush them using the bottom of a metal measuring cup. Graham crackers can also be placed in a food processor and processed until the desired consistency of crumbs is achieved.

How do you store chocolate coconut bars?

These tasty chocolate coconut bars can be stored covered at room temperature for about a week. In warmer weather, storing them covered in the fridge will prevent the chocolate from melting. If you liked these chocolate coconut bars, try more of our coconut desserts. Love the coconut, but chocolate isn’t your jam? Buttery coconut bars may be just what you’ve been looking for. Otherwise, check out more of our favorite dessert bars.

—Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 158 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.