Coconut Cream Dream Bars Recipe
Coconut Cream Dream Bars are a luscious dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a sweet, creamy coconut filling and a cloud of whipped cream, finished with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flavor. Perfect for a refreshing treat or special occasion dessert.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Coconut Filling
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded coconut (sweetened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Toasted coconut flakes (for garnish)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust and subsequent layers.
- Prepare Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to create an even crust layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, then allow it to cool completely.
- Make Coconut Filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, shredded sweetened coconut, and powdered sugar until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust.
- Bake Filling: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the coconut filling is set and lightly golden. Remove and let the bars cool completely at room temperature.
- Whip Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with vanilla extract until soft peaks form, creating a light and fluffy topping.
- Assemble Bars: Spread the whipped cream gently over the cooled coconut filling layer, ensuring an even coating across the entire surface.
- Garnish and Chill: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes generously over the whipped cream topping for added texture and flavor. Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to set thoroughly.
- Serve: Once chilled, cut the dessert into squares and serve cold for a refreshing and delicious treat.
Notes
- For best results, use sweetened shredded coconut for a balance of sweetness and texture.
- Be sure to cool the crust completely before adding the coconut filling to prevent sogginess.
- Whipping the cream to soft peaks ensures a light, airy topping that pairs well with the dense coconut layer.
- Refrigerate bars for the recommended time to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Coconut bars, creamy coconut dessert, graham cracker crust, no-bake cream topping, sweetened coconut bars, easy summer dessert