These “Luscious Coconut Cream Bars” are a delightful, no-bake dessert that offers a refreshing burst of tropical flavor, perfect for warm weather or anytime you crave a sweet, creamy treat. As prominently featured in the image, these bars are constructed with a golden, buttery graham cracker crust as their foundation, providing a delightful textural contrast to the smooth, rich filling. The main body of the bar is a thick, pale yellow cream layer, suggesting a luxurious, custardy, or mousse-like consistency that is both sweet and subtly tangy, indicative of a coconut or possibly a key lime/lemon-infused cream. The most striking visual element, and a key flavor component, is the generous topping of finely shredded or grated coconut, which adds an appealing texture and intensifies the tropical essence of the dessert. The image captures a single bar being lifted, showcasing the distinct layers and the inviting flakiness of the coconut, promising a truly decadent and satisfying bite. This dessert is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile, making it an ideal choice for potlucks, family gatherings, or a simple indulgence.
The graham cracker crust forms the sturdy and flavorful base of these bars. Its rich golden-brown color in the image indicates it has been well-pressed and likely includes melted butter, which helps bind the crumbs together and provides a desirable crunch. This type of crust offers a sweet, slightly spiced counterpoint to the creamy filling and ensures the bars hold their shape when cut and served.
The heart of the dessert is the creamy, pale yellow filling. This layer is substantial and appears smooth and homogeneous, suggesting a rich, dense, yet tender texture. The color hints at a key ingredient like egg yolks (if cooked custard) or possibly a slight tint from coconut cream or butter, but most likely points towards a creamy coconut flavor profile. It is likely a combination of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, coconut cream, and possibly a touch of lime or lemon juice for balance. The “luscious” nature implies a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is sweet, cool, and utterly satisfying.
The abundant shredded coconut topping is arguably the most defining characteristic, both visually and texturally. Its delicate, slightly translucent appearance suggests either unsweetened or lightly sweetened coconut. This generous layer provides a pleasant chewiness and a pronounced coconut flavor that ties the entire dessert together. The way the coconut is scattered evenly across the surface contributes to the homemade, inviting look of the bars.
Together, these components create a harmonious dessert where the crumbly, buttery crust supports the smooth, sweet, and tropical cream, all enhanced by the fragrant and textural coconut topping. The overall impression from the image is one of freshness, creaminess, and a delightful balance of flavors and textures, making it a truly appealing treat for any coconut enthusiast.
Ingredients:
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 ½ cups (about 180g) graham cracker crumbs (from about 10-12 full graham cracker sheets)
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
For the Coconut Cream Filling:
- 1 (8-ounce / 226g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14-ounce / 397g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (13.5-ounce / 400ml) can full-fat coconut cream (chilled overnight if possible, to separate cream from water)
- ½ cup (120ml) fresh lime juice (from about 3-4 limes, or lemon juice for a different tang)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
- 1 ½ cups (about 100g) shredded sweetened coconut (or unsweetened, depending on preference)
Equipment:
- 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch square baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowl (for crust)
- Large mixing bowl (for filling)
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or serving spoon for lifting (as shown in image)
Instructions:
Part 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat Oven (Optional, for baked crust): If you prefer a slightly crisper crust, preheat your oven to 350∘F (175∘C). For a no-bake crust, skip this step.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the exposed sides of the dish.
- Combine Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Press Crust: Pour the crumb mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using the bottom of a flat glass or a measuring cup, firmly press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a compact crust.
- Chill or Bake Crust:
- No-Bake Method: Place the crust in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and firm up while you prepare the filling.
- Baked Method (Optional for crisper crust): Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling.
Part 2: Prepare the Coconut Cream Filling
- Prepare Coconut Cream: If using full-fat coconut cream from a can, it’s best to chill the can overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the thick cream to separate and rise to the top. Scoop out only the thick coconut cream, leaving behind any clear liquid at the bottom of the can. You will need about 1 cup of thick coconut cream.
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, beating on low speed until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Add Coconut Cream & Flavorings: Add the thick coconut cream, fresh lime (or lemon) juice, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt to the mixture. Beat on medium speed for another 2-3 minutes until the filling is light, fluffy, and well combined. The mixture should thicken significantly as you beat it.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the filling and adjust sweetness or tanginess as desired by adding a tiny bit more powdered sugar or lime juice if needed.
Part 3: Assemble and Chill the Bars
- Pour Filling: Pour the coconut cream filling evenly over the chilled (or cooled, if baked) graham cracker crust in the baking dish. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Add Topping: Generously sprinkle the shredded sweetened coconut evenly over the top of the filling. Gently press it down lightly so it adheres to the cream.
- Chill Thoroughly: Cover the baking dish loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the bars to set completely. This is crucial for clean slices.
Part 4: Slice and Serve
- Slice: Once the bars are completely set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the baking dish and onto a cutting board.
- Cut into Bars: Using a sharp knife, cut the dessert into 16 or 20 even square bars. For cleaner cuts, you can run the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each cut.
- Serve: Serve the Luscious Coconut Cream Bars chilled.
Tips for Success:
- Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature for a lump-free, smooth filling.
- Chilled Coconut Cream: Chilling the can of full-fat coconut cream overnight makes it much easier to separate the thick cream from the liquid, which is essential for a thick, stable filling.
- Firmly Press Crust: A well-compacted crust will hold its shape better and provide a nice crisp texture.
- Thorough Chilling: Do not rush the chilling time for the bars. This is the most important step to ensure the filling sets firmly and you can achieve clean, neat slices.
- Storage: Store leftover coconut cream bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Toasted Coconut (Optional): For an even more intense coconut flavor and a slightly different texture, you can lightly toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown and fragrant before sprinkling it on top. Let it cool completely before using.
Enjoy these delightfully refreshing and Luscious Coconut Cream Bars!