coconut Archives - Family Dinners Delicious Dinners Families Love Fri, 06 Jan 2023 18:58:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://familydinners.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png coconut Archives - Family Dinners 32 32 Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookie Bars https://familydinners.com/chocolate-coconut-bars/ https://familydinners.com/chocolate-coconut-bars/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2023 06:48:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=11752 Delicious chocolate chip cookie bars with coconut and almonds. Like an Almond Joy cookie bar, these chocolate coconut bars are hard to stop eating.

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It doesn’t get much better than these insanely yummy and gooey chocolate chip coconut cookie bars. If you are a big fan of Almond Joy candy bars then you will love these easy dessert bars. This chocolate chip cookie bars are full of almond slivers and toasted coconut shreds.

Stacked chocolate chip coconut almond bars.

Packed with chocolate chips, almonds and flaked coconut, oven baked chocolate coconut bars only take 30 minutes to make. Most importantly, there is no need for long chilling times or shaping of individual cookies.

You can decide how big or small you want to cut your coconut bar cookies, depending on how many people you want to feed. But your whole family will surely love the nutty flavor of these soft and chewy chocolate coconut blondie bars.

WHAT ARE COOKIE BARS?

Cookie bars are made from a basic cookie dough that is flavored by adding delicious add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips, caramel bites or coconut flakes, for example. Most importantly, no individual cookies need to be rolled, as you bake the dough in a baking dish and then cut into squares. They are quick, easy and oh so delicious!

Chocolate Coconut Bars.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: insanely delicious magic cookie bars, that are gooey and packed full of chocolate chips, almonds and coconut flakes.
  • Main Ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, large egg, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, almond slivers
  • Cooking Method: air fryer, oven baked
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time and 20 minutes baking time
  • Diets: vegetarian
  • Special Equipment Needed: large bowl, medium bowl 8×8-inch baking dish, electric hand mixer, spatula, knife, optional: air fryer
Stack of chocolate coconut bars, one with a bite taken out.

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for these chocolate chip coconut bars in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this chocolate chip coconut cookie bars recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookie Bars Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup of chocolate chips (half a 12 oz bag)
  • ½ cup flaked coconut
  • ½ cup almond slivers

Variations and Substitutions

All-Purpose Flour: Plain all-purpose flour works great here but cake flour can be substituted by adding an additional 2 tablespoons for each cup of all-purpose flour. If the recipe calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour, use 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of cake flour.

Butter: It is important to use softened butter, so it blends well with the other ingredients. Take the butter out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before starting this classic recipe. You can also soften butter by microwaving it for a couple of seconds.

Chocolate Chips: We used regular semi-sweet chocolate chips for this recipe but you can also use dark chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or a mix of all of them.

Light Brown Sugar: The molasses in the sugar adds great flavor to your cookie bars and keeps them chewy. You can substitute dark brown sugar in a pinch.

Gluten Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten free flour mix like King Arthur’s Gluten Free Flour Mix or any other GF flour with xanthan gum. Ensure your baking powder and coconut are gluten free.

Chocolate chip coconut almond cookie bar ingredients in bowls: chocolate chips, flour, sugar, brown sugar, coconut flakes, almond slivers, butter, salt, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder and an egg.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this easy coconut dessert recipe, try our Piña Colada Jello Shots. You’ll love them because the tropical flavor combination of pineapple and coconut creates summer feeling and party fun all year round.

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Air Fryer – This recipe requires an air fryer. We have both this Cosori air fryer, which is wonderful, and this Cuisinart Air Fryer, which we also love. The Cuisinart also has convection oven and toaster oven capacity. You can buy an air fryer with a basket with high sides that food goes into or a tray type of machine. The trays are shallow but are usually longer and can accomodate more food in a single layer.

Electric Mixer – Use an electric hand mixer to cream together the cookie dough.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook coconut chocolate chip bars in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the whole recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Then line a 9×9″ baking dish with parchment paper. That way the coconut cookie bars will come out of the baking dish much easier.

COMBINE THE BUTTER AND SUGAR: Combine softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl.

MIX BATTER: Mix with an electric mixer until creamy. Then add egg and the vanilla extract. Afterward, mix again until combined.

2 photos. Left photo: butter and sugars in a bowl. Right photo: hand mixer mixing sugars with an egg.

COMBINE THE DRY INGREDIENTS: In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to blend.

COMBINE WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS: Then slowly add dry ingredients, about a ¼ cup of flour mixture at a time, to the wet ingredients. Keep mixing with the electric mixer until all ingredients are well blended. Add chocolate chips, ¼ cup almond slivers, ¼ cup coconut flakes and mix. Do not overmix the batter.

IMAGE 1: dry ingredients in a bowl. Image 2: Dry ingredients added to wet ingredients in a bowl.

MIX BATTER: Mix with an electric mixer until creamy. Then add egg and the vanilla extract. Afterward, mix again until combined.

COMBINE WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS: Then slowly add dry ingredients, about a ¼ cup of flour mixture at a time, to the wet ingredients. Keep mixing with the electric mixer until all ingredients are well blended. Add chocolate chips, ¼ cup almond slivers, ¼ cup coconut flakes and mix. Do not overmix the batter.

Image 1: Bowl of cookie dough with almonds, chocolate chips and coconut flakes on top. Image 2: Cookie dough spread into a baking pan.

BAKE: Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining almonds, coconut and a handful of chocolate chips on top. Push down chocolate chips and almonds a bit, so they are secure, before you sprinkle coconut flakes on top. Afterwards, bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown and done.

Image 1: More coconut, almonds and chocolate chips scattered onto cookie dough. Image 2: Cooked chocolate chip coconut cookie dough bars.

ENJOY: Once cool, remove from the baking dish and cut into squares.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love eating raw cookie dough then you’ll love our amazing Cookie Dough Dip. This delicious dip only uses a few simple ingredients, is ready in just 5 minutes and pairs well with cookies, crackers, or fruit.

How To Cook In The Air Fryer

You can also try to cook this wonderful chocolate coconut dough in the air fryer. We prefer the oven baked method for this recipe, but this is fun too!

Make sure you cut the recipe in half and bake your cookie bars in 2 batches. We used a round cake pan and make sure the dough is spread no more than ½″ thick or else the top will cook before the inside sets. Cook the cookie bars at 300ºF until done.

If you like making cookies in the air fryer you must also try our scrumptious Air Fryer Cookies or Air Fryer Cookie for One.

Stef says….

Another must-try recipe are these insanely yummy Lemon Cream Cheese Cookie Bars. The combination of citrusy cream cheese filling with cookie crumble topping is just to die for.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best chocolate chip and coconut bars.

  • Tip: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. It is tempting to use cooking spray but they’ll come out of the pan much better with parchment paper.
  • Tip: Make sure to use softened butter for this great recipe.
  • Tip: Do not overmix the cookie batter. Mix just until it’s all combined.
  • Tip: Evenly distribute toppings. When you put almonds and chocolate chips onto the batter, before cooking, you should lightly press them into the batter so they’re secure. Scatter the coconut but don’t press or they may break.

More Cookie Bar Recipes

Do you love the convenience of no chill, no shape cookie bars? Then you have to try one of our other scrumptious cookie bar recipes:

How To Store

Room Temperature: In the unlikely case you end up with leftover chocolate chip cookie bars, you can store them in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they are tightly wrapped or covered so they stay soft and chewy.

Freeze: Completely cooled oven baked cookie bars can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw your coconut almond blondie bars on the counter for a couple of hours. To enjoy a delicious warm cookie bar, simply pop the defrosted treats in the microwave for a few of seconds or in the oven for a minute or two.

Coconut cookie bars cut into squares.

Common Questions

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking almond joy cookie bars.

Do I have to use parchment paper for the baking pan?

YES. You can line your baking dish with either parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure you have a slight overhang on the edges. This makes it a lot easier to lift the baked chocolate coconut bars out of the pan. We do not recommend using non-stick cooking spray or buttering and flouring your baking dish for this recipe.

How do you know the perfect time to get the cookie bars with coconut out of the oven?

For the cookie bars to be done they should be slightly puffed up, golden brown with crispy edges. The middle might still look underdone, but don’t forget the cookie bars will keep on cooking for a couple of minutes after they have been removed from the oven. When you insert a toothpick at the center it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs on it. If there is still raw batter on the toothpick, keep the cookie bars in the oven for another couple of minutes.

Can I double this bar cookies recipe?

Yes. You can double this chew coconut chocolate chip bars recipe and bake it in a 9×13″ baking pan. You might have to add a couple of minutes to the baking time. Start checking the coconut chocolate cookie bars at the 20 minute mark to be sure you don’t overcook them.

How should I serve these yummy dessert bars?

As a mater of fact, these chewy bars are perfect with just a glass of milk. However, for special occasions you can serve bar cookies with coconut and chocolate chips topped with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Chocolate Coconut Bars.
Print

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookie Bars Recipe

Delicious chocolate chip cookie bars with coconut and almonds. Like an Almond Joy cookie bar, these chocolate coconut bars are hard to stop eating.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword almond joy cookie bars, chocolate coconut bars, chocolate coconut cookie bars, coconut almond chocolate chip cookie bars, coconut cookie bars
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 16 cookie squares
Calories 176kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • 9×9 in baking dish
  • medium and large mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • electric mixer
  • spatula
  • knife

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1½ tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (half a 12 oz bag)
  • ½ cup flaked coconut
  • ½ cup almond slivers

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9×9" baking dish with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk until mixed well.
    whisked dry ingredients in a bowl
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until creamed.
    Butter and sugars in a bowl.
  • Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix again until combined.
    Egg added to sugar mixture.
  • Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing as you go until it's all just combined. Do not overmix.
    Dry ingredients added to wet ingrecients.
  • Add chocolate chips, ¼ cup flaked coconut, ¼ cup almond slivers and stir until combined.
    Chocolate chips, almonds and coconut added to cookie batter.
  • Spread cookie batter into the baking pan. Spread evenly and smooth with a spatula. Add 10-20 more chocolate chips as well as the remaining almonds and coconut to the top.
    Coconut and almonds added to top of pan.
  • Cook for 20-22 minutes or until golden and cooked to your desired crispiness. Remember it will continue cooking a little when you remove it from the oven.
    Cooked chocolate coconut bars.
  • Once cool, remove from the baking dish and cut into 16 pieces (or 9 if you prefer).
    cut up chocolate coconut cookie bars

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter. The one downside of mixing cookies with an electric mixer is the danger of overmixing when combining the wet and dry ingredients. Go slow and stop mixing once everything is combined.
  • If your butter is not softened it will not mix well and your cookie bars won’t cook correctly.
  • Add a handful of chocolate chips to the top of your cookie bars and press in lightly, if desired.
  • We tried cooking in an air fryer in a round cake pan. Cut the recipe in half and cook at 300°F until done. We prefer the oven method but this is fun as well!

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

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]]> https://familydinners.com/chocolate-coconut-bars/feed/ 2 Piña Colada Jello Shots https://familydinners.com/pina-colada-jello-shots/ https://familydinners.com/pina-colada-jello-shots/#respond Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:53:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=15920 These yummy piña colada jello shots taste of pineapple and coconut, are quick and easy to make and spread instant party fun.

The post Piña Colada Jello Shots appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> If you are a big fan of a classic piña colada cocktail then you will love these delicious and easy to make piña colada jello shots. The tropical flavor combination of pineapple and coconut creates summer feeling and party fun all year round.

Decorated with a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, they not only look incredible they also taste absolutely scrumptious. The guests at your next summer party won’t be able to resist these fun party treats that can be made up to 7 days ahead of time.

close up of decorated pina colada jello shots

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What Are Jello Shots?

Jello shots are little colorful jello cups that are prepared with a mixture of water and alcohol, such as vodka, white rum or tequila, for example. Jello shots are generally fruit flavored and often inspired by popular cocktails. Their bright, happy colors and sweet flavor make them the perfect boozy party treats.

pineapple and coconut jello shots with Malibu rum decorated with whipped cream and maraschino cherries

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: classic piña colada flavors of pineapple and coconut in a fun sized jello shot
  • Main Ingredients: Malibu rum, hot water, pineapple jello, sweetened condensed milk, coconut cream
  • Cooking Method: no bake
  • Diets: vegetarian
  • Special Equipment Needed: saucepan, whisk, disposable condiment cups with lids or shot glasses
tops of pineapple jello shots with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry
pina colada jello shots on a pineapple slice

Ingredients

You may have all of these pineapple jello shot with coconut rum ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

  • Pantry Ingredients: Malibu rum, hot water, pineapple jello, sweetened condensed milk, coconut cream
  • Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: whipped cream
  • Produce Ingredients: maraschino cherries, fresh pineapple wedges

Additionally, you can vary the flavor of your tropical jello shots by using different kinds of alcohol. We also recommend using vodka, flavored vodka, white rum or tequila, for example.

ingredients for pina colada jello shots

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love pineapple and coconut cocktails then you’ll love Stef’s Absolute Best Piña Colada recipe.

Instructions

This section shows how to make piña colada jello shots, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE JELLO: Firstly, bring water to a boil, then add it to jello powder and stir until smooth. Wait until the jello has cooled, before continuing with the recipe.

pineapple jello added to hot water
Malibu rum added to jello

ADD OTHER INGREDIENTS: Add Malibu rum, sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream to the jello and stir to combine. Then pour the jello mixture into 2-ounce shot cups, set out on a tray for easy transfer to the fridge.

coconut cream being added to jello mixture
pina colada jello poured into shot glasses

CHILL AND DECORATE: Transfer the jello cups to the fridge and let set for at least 2 hours. Right before serving, add whipped cream, a maraschino cherry or a small fresh pineapple wedge for decoration. Serve.

decorated and ungarnished pina colada jello shots
pina colada jello shots on a slice of fresh pineapple

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Malibu rum and fresh pineapple then you’ll love Boozy Pineapple Spears Soaked in Malibu Rum.

Disposable Condiment Cups – Not only are these little cups iconic for their use for jell-o shots, they also guarantee nice presentation and make clean up so much easier.

How To Make Ahead

Jello shots are a great party treat to make ahead of time. They last for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Cover them and only decorate them right before serving.

Piña Colada Jello Shots Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best light yellow jello shots.

  • Do not add too much additional alcohol. While jello shots don’t taste overly boozy, they still pack a punch. Moreover, adding too much vodka might keep them from setting properly.
  • Store in the fridge until ready to use. Otherwise the jello might become liquid again.
  • Add decorations right before serving. Candy, whipped cream or fruit decorations might react with the jello and become slimy and unappetizing.

HOW TO STORE

Refrigerate: Store jello shots covered and undecorated in the fridge until ready to use. They will last for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.

garnished pineapple coconut jello shots

More Jello Shot Recipes

Nothing creates more instant party fun than a colorful tray of delicious and boozy jello shots. We love serving Tequila Sunrise, Orange Creamsicle and Peach Jello Shots.

More Party Drink Recipes

If you are looking for other scrumptious alcoholic drink recipes you have to try our Dirty Shirley Drink or Blackberry Cocktail Recipe. For some yummy and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, check out Andrea’s list of Delicious Summer Drink Recipes.

Common Questions

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about making piña colada jello shots.

Can too much alcohol keep my jello shots from setting?

Unfortunately that can happen if you add too much extra alcohol. Put your faith in us on this one! We have tried and tested different amounts of alcohol with this recipe and have found 4 oz of coconut rum to be the perfect amount. Even though jello shots don’t taste overly strong, they still pack a punch.

How do I make filling jello shot cups less messy?

We love using a glass measuring cup with a spout to fill the shot glasses, but you can use any bowl or container with a spout. We additionally recommend setting the shot glasses on a tray before filling them. This way you don’t have to move individual filled cups and risk spilling on the way to the fridge.

What is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?

While coconut milk and coconut cream are both made from coconut flesh and water, there is a difference in the water and fat content. Very similar to milk and heavy cream, coconut cream has more fat and less water content than coconut milk. It is therefore a lot thicker and creamier.

pineapple and coconut jello shots with Malibu rum decorated with whipped cream and maraschino cherries
Print

Piña Colada Jello Shots Recipe

Creamy combination of pineapple and coconut in a jello shot. These piña colada jello shots are great for any occasion.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, vegetarian
Keyword jello shots with Malibu rum, jello shots with sweetened condensed milk, light yellow jello shots, pina colada jello shots
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 24 servings
Calories 36kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • shot glasses or disposable condiment cups with lids

Ingredients

  • 4 oz Malibu rum
  • 8 oz hot water
  • 3 oz pineapple jello
  • ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup coconut cream (not coconut milk)

Instructions

  • Boil water and add jello. Stir until dissolved.
    jello added to hot water
  • Let sit to cool.
    mixed up pineapple jello
  • Once cooled, add rum. Stir to combine.
    Malibu rum added to jello
  • Add in sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream and stir to combine.
    coconut cream being added to jello mixture
  • Pour into shot glasses or 2 oz condiment cups.
    pina colada jello poured into shot glasses
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours to set.
  • Garnish with whipped cream or an orange wedge and maraschino cherry. Serve.
    decorated and ungarnished pina colada jello shots

Notes

  • Use disposable condiment cups or disposable shot glasses for easy cleanup.
  • Do not add alcohol to the water to be boiled.
  • Substitute your favorite alcohol for the rum, if you prefer. 

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 12mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.01mg

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