These Double Chocolate Coconut Desserts combine rich cocoa, soft coconut flakes, and a velvety ganache topping. Perfectly chewy with a fudgy center, they strike the right balance between indulgent and satisfying. A dessert that feels decadent yet approachable, making it ideal for family gatherings or casual weeknight treats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Dense, moist, and fudgy with a hint of coconut texture.
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Simple ingredients and straightforward method—great for beginner bakers.
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Baked in a single pan, easy to cut and serve.
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The glossy chocolate ganache elevates it to bakery-style quality.
Double Chocolate Coconut Desserts
Chocolate and coconut have long been a beloved pairing, their flavors complementing each other with balance and depth. This recipe captures that harmony in bar form, giving you a dessert that feels both nostalgic and luxurious.
Bars like these are perfect for busy families. Unlike layer cakes that require stacking and frosting, these come together in one pan. Once cooled, they slice neatly into squares or rectangles, making them portable for lunchboxes, bake sales, or coffee breaks.
The batter itself is straightforward, relying on pantry staples like flour, cocoa powder, and sugar. Butter is creamed with sugar until fluffy, ensuring the bars have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Eggs provide structure and richness, while a touch of coconut extract enhances the tropical note.
What sets these bars apart is the balance between richness and chew. The flour and cocoa powder keep them grounded, while shredded coconut introduces a bit of texture that contrasts beautifully with the smooth crumb.
Coconut has been a cherished ingredient across many cultures. In desserts, it adds a natural sweetness and chewiness that feels satisfying. In this recipe, it breaks the density of chocolate, giving each bite layers of texture.
The ganache topping is the crowning glory. Instead of a dry finish, the top is draped with a silky mixture of melted chocolate and butter. As it sets, it forms a glossy layer that cracks slightly when sliced, reminiscent of brownies with a fudge-like finish.
The baking process is simple, but precision matters. Overbaking can dry out the bars, so keeping an eye on the toothpick test is key. Aim for crumbs clinging to the tester rather than a completely clean stick—this ensures fudgy moistness.
Family kitchens thrive on recipes like this because they’re forgiving yet deliver big results. A novice can master them, and an experienced baker can appreciate the balance of flavors. Children often love helping stir in the coconut flakes, making the process interactive and fun.
For gatherings, these bars stand out because they are elegant without being fussy. A plate of shiny chocolate-topped squares can rival a bakery platter, yet they’re made from scratch at home in under an hour.
Storage is another advantage. Once cut, the bars keep well in an airtight container for several days. In fact, they tend to improve by the second day as the flavors meld. They also freeze beautifully, ready to be thawed for a last-minute treat.
The recipe reflects the best of home baking: familiar, simple, and rewarding. With a small list of ingredients, you transform basic pantry items into something that feels indulgent.
For those who love versatility, this dessert allows creative adaptations. Add a handful of chopped nuts for crunch, or sprinkle extra coconut on top before baking for a toasted finish. You can even drizzle white chocolate over the ganache for a marbled look.
In family traditions, desserts like this often become signature recipes. Passed down and requested repeatedly, they become tied to memories of birthdays, holidays, and casual moments alike.
Ultimately, these Double Chocolate Coconut Bars aren’t just about indulgence. They embody the joy of baking something beautiful with ease, sharing it with loved ones, and savoring flavors that feel both familiar and exciting.
Servings & Time
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Servings: 12–15 bars
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Bake Time: 33–35 minutes
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Cooling Time: 45 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Bars:
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1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
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1 ¼ cups sugar
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4 large eggs
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1 teaspoon coconut extract (or vanilla extract)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
For the Ganache Topping:
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1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 11×7-inch baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down sides. Stir in coconut extract.
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Sift in flour and cocoa powder. Fold gently until no streaks of flour remain.
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Stir in coconut flakes until evenly distributed.
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Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
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Bake 33–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
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Cool in pan for at least 30 minutes.
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For ganache: Melt chocolate chips and butter together until smooth. Spread over cooled bars.
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Refrigerate until ganache sets, then slice into squares or bars.
Tips
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For chewier bars, don’t overmix the batter after adding flour.
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Add a pinch of instant coffee to enhance chocolate flavor.
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Toast the coconut before folding it in for a nuttier depth.
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Slice with a warm knife for clean cuts through the ganache.
Double Chocolate Coconut Desserts
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract or vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
For the Ganache Topping:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 11×7-inch baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down sides. Stir in coconut extract.
- Sift in flour and cocoa powder. Fold gently until no streaks of flour remain.
- Stir in coconut flakes until evenly distributed.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
- Bake 33–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool in pan for at least 30 minutes.
- For ganache: Melt chocolate chips and butter together until smooth. Spread over cooled bars.
- Refrigerate until ganache sets, then slice into squares or bars.
Notes
- For chewier bars, don’t overmix the batter after adding flour.
- Add a pinch of instant coffee to enhance chocolate flavor.
- Toast the coconut before folding it in for a nuttier depth.
- Slice with a warm knife for clean cuts through the ganache.