Lime-Frosted Coconut Bars
My better-than-Starbucks recipe for lime-frosted coconut bars have a chewy cookie base and swirls of lime-scented cream cheese frosting.
- Prep time
- 18 min
- Cook time
- 42 min
- Yield
- 16 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (gently melted (169 grams))
- 1/2 cup sugar ((105 grams))
- 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed ((210 grams))
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ((163 grams))
- 1 cup sweetened coconut shreds
- 4 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar ((224 grams))
- The zest of 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350° F.
- 2
Grease a 9x9-inch baking tin and line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so you can lift the bars out.
- 3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar and brown sugar.
- 4
Mix in one egg until fully combined, then mix in the second egg, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- 5
Fold in the coconut and flour.
- 6
Spread the dough evenly in the tin and bake for about 28 minutes.
- 7
Let the bars cool in their tin for 5 minutes, then remove from the tin and allow to cool completely on the wire rack.
- 8
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-low speed, beat together the cream cheese, lime juice, lime zest, vanilla and salt until smooth and creamy. Do not over-mix.
- 9
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars, then top with more lime zest, if desired.
- 10
You can eat the bars right away but they are better if you let them chill and set in the refrigerator for an hour or more.