Coconut Chewies: A Delightful Treat for Every Occasion
Coconut Chewies are the ultimate dessert bars for coconut lovers. These chewy, buttery bars are rich, flavorful, and easy to make, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering, a holiday party, or simply as a sweet indulgence for yourself, these bars are sure to impress. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to create these delightful Coconut Chewies, providing tips and insights to ensure your bake turns out perfectly. Let’s dive into the recipe and explore how to make these delicious treats from scratch.
Ingredients for Coconut Chewies
To create these mouthwatering Coconut Chewies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- ½ cup butter: The foundation of the recipe, providing richness and flavor.
- 2 cups brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a deep caramel-like flavor.
- 2 large eggs: These help bind the ingredients and give structure to the bars.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the chewies.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the bars rise slightly, giving them a light texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 1 ½ cups shredded sweetened coconut: The star ingredient that adds texture, sweetness, and a burst of coconut flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s walk through the process of making these delicious Coconut Chewies.
1. Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
2. Brown the Butter: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Keep a close eye on the butter as it melts, and once it begins to boil, swirl the pan continuously. This helps prevent the butter from burning and encourages even browning. Continue swirling until the butter darkens to a rich amber color. This browning process adds a nutty, toasty flavor to the bars. Once the butter reaches the desired color, remove it from the heat immediately to prevent it from burning.
3. Mix in the Brown Sugar: While the butter is still warm, stir in the brown sugar until fully integrated. The heat from the butter will help dissolve the sugar, creating a smooth and glossy mixture.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract: Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will enhance the sweetness and flavor of the bars.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense, tough bars.
6. Fold in the Coconut: Gently fold the shredded sweetened coconut into the batter, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout. The coconut adds a delightful chewiness and a burst of tropical flavor to each bite.
7. Transfer to the Baking Dish: Pour the batter into the prepared 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. The batter should be thick and slightly sticky.
8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. To prevent the top from over-browning, cover the dish with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
9. Cool and Slice: Allow the Coconut Chewies to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing. This ensures that the bars set properly and are easy to cut into neat squares.
Notes and Tips
- Browning the Butter: Browning the butter is a crucial step in this recipe, as it adds a deep, rich flavor to the chewies. Be patient during this process, and keep the heat at medium to prevent burning.
- Covering with Foil: If you notice the top of the bars browning too quickly, don’t hesitate to cover them with foil. This will help them cook evenly without over-browning the surface.
- Cooling Time: It’s important to let the bars cool completely before slicing. If you cut them too soon, they may crumble or fall apart.
- Storing the Bars: Store the Coconut Chewies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 160mg
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 22g
- Protein: 2g
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened?
A: Yes, you can substitute unsweetened coconut if you prefer a less sweet bar. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, and the bars will be less sweet overall.
Q: Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the recipe?
A: Absolutely! Chocolate chips, white chocolate, or nuts like chopped pecans or almonds would be a great addition to these bars. Just fold them into the batter along with the shredded coconut.
Q: How can I make these bars gluten-free?
A: To make a gluten-free version, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that can be used as a 1:1 substitute.
Q: Can I freeze Coconut Chewies?
A: Yes, these bars freeze very well. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Q: How do I know when the bars are done baking?
A: The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The edges should be set, and the center should no longer be jiggly.
These Coconut Chewies are the perfect blend of sweet, chewy, and buttery goodness. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up a batch of these delicious bars in no time. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as a treat for yourself, they’re sure to be a hit. Enjoy!
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Coconut Chewies
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Coconut Chewies are rich, buttery dessert bars with a chewy texture and a delightful coconut flavor. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying blend of sweetness and chewiness that coconut lovers will adore.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups shredded sweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan until the butter darkens to an amber color, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar until fully combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the shredded sweetened coconut.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, covering with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the bars. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- To prevent over-browning, cover the bars with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Ensure the bars cool completely before slicing for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Coconut Chewies