A play on the favorite Girl Scout samoa cookie, these caramel coconut cluster bars have a shortbread base that is topped with a coconut-filled caramel, MORE coconut, and a chocolate drizzle.
caramel coconut cluster bars

You know what’s a lot of fun?

Making babies.

IMG_8676

I mean, CELEBRATING people who are making babies.

A little Freudian slip there. #oops.

ESPECIALLY when those people are as fun, sweet, loving, wonderful, adorable as my friend ZAINAB from BLAHNIK BAKER!! She is expecting her first baby (a boy!!) at the end of this month and all of her blogger friends and I couldn’t be more excited for her!! So obviously we had to throw her a (virtual) baby shower where the theme was her favorite fruit – the COCONUT.

Zainab and I have a LOT in common…aside from being food lovers with a penchant for all things sweet, we are both biology PhD students, so we connect on a whole lot of levels and frequently gripe about #PhDProblems on Twitter. We met in person for the first time last year and have hung out a few times since then, and every time I swear I feel like we’ve known each other forever. I know she is going to be the BEST mom.

IMG_8692

I wish we could all get together in person to celebrate, but instead I guess you’re all just going to HAVE to make these caramel coconut cluster bars at home and use your imagination. They are basically a knock-off of what used to be the samoa Girl Scout cookie (I think now it’s called a Caramel De-light??), but BETTER because they’re in bar form. Basically that means you get a thick layer of shortbread cookie, an even thicker layer of coconutty caramel, and MORE coconut and chocolate on top. What a way to celebrate.

Blahnik Shower Graphic {final}

Check out what everyone else made to get this party started!!

Blackberry Coconut Cupcakes, by Baking a Moment
Blueberry Coconut Meusli Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie
Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen
Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others
Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy
Coconut Breakfast Pudding with Sauteed Nectarines, by Cooking and Beer
Coconut Cake, by I am Baker
Coconut Cream Pie Ice Cream, by The Recipe Rebel
Coconut Energy Bites, by The Kitchenarium
Coconut Key Lime Angel Food Cake Roll, by Flavor the Moments
Coconut Key Lime Pie Cookie Bars, by Two in the Kitchen
Coconut Key Lime Macarons, by Life Made Sweeter
Coconut, Lime, and White Chocolate Milkshake, by A Clean Bake
Coconut Pineapple Banana Smoothie, by The Bitter Side of Sweet
Coconut Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimp, by Healthy Nibbles and Bits
Coconut Sweet Potato Muffins, by Luci’s Morsels
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Toasted Coconut, by The Cooking Actress
Key Lime Coconut Button Sandwich Cookies, by Culinary Concoctions by Peabody
Key Lime Coconut Pound Cake, by Grandbaby Cakes
Lavender Coconut Macarons, by Broma Bakery
Macaroon Tarts with Ginger Coconut Whipped Cream and Pineapple, by A Cookie Named Desire
Mango Coconut Donuts, by Chez Catey Lou
Mango Coconut Smoothie, by Jessica in the Kitchen
Mango Summer Cake, by Keep it Sweet Desserts
Mini Coconut Cream Pies, by Hip Foodie Mom
Pina Colada Pie, by Life, Love, and Sugar
Skinny Blueberry Lime Scones, by Club Narwhal
Spiced Lentils with Toasted Coconut, by This Gal Cooks
Toasted Coconut Banana Meringue Pie, by The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Triple Coconut Rum Layer Cake, by bethcakes
Tropical Pineapple Coconut Sangria, by Shared Appetite
White Chocolate Coconut Key Lime Cookies, by Culinary Couture

IMG_8690

Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars
 
A play on the favorite Girl Scout samoa cookie, these caramel coconut cluster bars have a shortbread base that is topped with a coconut-filled caramel, MORE coconut, and a chocolate drizzle.
Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
For the toasted coconut
  • 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut, divided
For the cookie base
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 8 oz unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla
For the caramel
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For assembly
  • 6 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
Instructions
  1. To make the toasted coconut, heat oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Spread the coconut in an even layer on the baking sheet and toast in the oven, tossing every 4 minutes, until just golden, about 12-16 minutes total. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  3. To make the cookie base, increase oven to 350F.
  4. Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper and grease.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
  6. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes on medium-high speed. Add the vanilla and flour and mix until just combined.
  7. Turn the dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. It helps if you lightly flour your hands first. Prick with a fork and bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool.
  8. To make the caramel, in a medium saucepan combine the corn syrup, sugars, and 2 tbsp water. Set over low heat and stir gently until sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, without stirring, until it reaches 245F.
  9. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cream mixture until combined. Place back over medium heat, stop stirring, and bring back to 245F.
  10. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla along with 2 cups of the coconut. Pour onto the cookie base and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top. Let cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for 1 hour.
  11. Cut into bars.
  12. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. Drizzle over the bars. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to allow chocolate to set.
Notes
Recipe from Baked Elements
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bar

Crazy for coconut!

triple coconut cream pie

Triple Coconut Cream Pie

triple chocolate coconut macaroons

Triple Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

coconut cake with silk meringue buttercream

Coconut Cake with Silk Meringue Buttercream

From Around the Web:

Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles from The Roasted Root

Coconut Mocha Cupcakes from My Baking Addiction

Coconut Mango Cake from Bakers Royale

Chocolate Coconut Cherry Tarts from Flourishing Foodie

Blueberry Coconut Crisp from Two Peas And Their Pod

IMG_8677

blog_share_subscribe
Share →

75 Responses to Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars

  1. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  2. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  3. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  4. This is like the worst thing to see two days before fitting into a wedding dress…but bring it on!! Can I just say that these bars look incredibly amazing? Hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon!

  5. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  6. […] Meusli Bars | The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles | Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars | Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake | Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  7. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  8. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  9. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  10. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  11. They’re still called samoas here — it must be regional? Regardless, I love them, so I’m extra sold on a homemade, more delicious version!

  12. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  13. […] Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others […]

  14. I love the idea of a virtual baby shower. Any excuse to share some amazing sweet treat recipes. These look incredible. I want to eat them through the screen.

  15. Wait… We are not privy to hearing about the baby making on your honeymoon? Hope this are all pre-scripted and you are not tendinbg to your blog. 🙂

  16. You know how I feel about coconut but is it weird that I want to just scrape it off and inhale the rest of the bars? PS next time I am totally crashing your Zainab date!

  17. These look so decadent and delicious!

  18. Zainab says:

    Ahhhh I can’t even believe it!! You are on your honeymoon chica!! I love this and look at that thick layer of gooey goodness??? It’s got everything I love in there. Wish I could eat and celebrate with you 🙂 xoxo

  19. Beth says:

    Joanne, you have exceeded your own brilliance with these bars. Just amazing.

  20. Meg says:

    These would last about .002 seconds in my house, and I’m totally okay with that. Yum!

  21. These look so good, and you totally had me laughing with your opening line! I’m a science major as well. I’m glad to have found another science-minded food blogger!!

  22. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  23. Ha! Making babies is fun 😉 but celebrating Zainab is incredibly exciting. The Girl Scouts know their cookies and I love that you turned a favorite into a bar.

  24. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  25. CakePants says:

    Wow, these look crazy delicious! Congrats to Zainab, and yay for PhD students who write blogs! I’m in a completely different area of study, but I’m nonetheless always impressed by other students who make the time to create such amazing blogs 🙂

  26. Heather says:

    Mmmm… coconut. Also, is it baby season or what? It seems like everyone is having babies or is getting pregnant right now… part of me almost wishes we wanted a third. :p

  27. Joanne, you are hilarious!!!! I LOVE these coconut cluster bars . . DAMN!!!!! thank you so much for being here with us today to celebrate Zainab. . !!!!!! you are the best!

  28. I would have to hide these from everyone in the house if I were to get one (or five….)!

  29. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  30. Marci says:

    I had something similar last weekend during a trip to South Carolina and I wanted to re-create them. This recipe is going to do the trick, thanks!

  31. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  32. Lori Rice says:

    My, oh, my. So many coconut recipes! I can’t wait to make my way through the list. These bars look incredible!

  33. Whoa, these look incredible! Love everything about these bars!

  34. Yaaaaay! OK, what do I have to do to make this baby shower a real life thing? I want two of these bars, plz.

  35. OMG these look AWESOME! LOVE somoas so I will LOVE these bars!! I wish I could eat one now!

  36. […] Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others […]

  37. Yeah I’m definitely making these at home and using my imagination. These look DELISH!

  38. Julia says:

    I’ve never wanted to insert my face into a pile of cluster bars so badly in my life. UGH these look marv! And perfect for the baby showering! Or the every-day caramel eating. mmmmmhmmm! Huge congrats to Zainab!

  39. SallyBR says:

    Awesome! I love her blog and of course follow her adventures in the lab and kitchen, but all pale in comparison to having a first baby boy!

    too bad I did not know about this virtual baby shower, I would have loved to be a part of it…

    next baby, count me in! 😉

  40. These are seriously so stunning. I would love some right now. Thanks for being part of this!

  41. Oh these bars are making me swoon!! I love the chocolate drizzle on them! 🙂

  42. Caramel and coconut are made for each other. These bars look fabulous, Joanne.

  43. It probably says something about my preparedness for motherhood, but I would take these over babies any day 😀

  44. mira says:

    These are gorgeous Joanne! Congrats to Zainab!

  45. We are a bunch of food blogger-scientist taking over the world! HA! Glad we can celebrate Zainab together. These bars look awesome!

  46. I’m sad I haven’t met her yet! But I definitely agree it’s nice to gripe about PhDness with other fellow food lovers. Let’s eat out faces off while talking nerdy.

  47. Hell yes I want 5 of these right now!!!

  48. Well, FWIW, it IS fun to make the babies, too. I mean, the trying. All the coconut things!!

  49. Kelster says:

    I’m always amazed by the fact that you and Zainab keep up with such wonderful blogs and intensive PhD/MD work!

  50. Another PhD – there’s so many of us out there! I love that you made these cookies in bar form – I’m a sucker for dessert bars! Wish we could have the baby shower non-virtual, so we can eat all these goodies!

  51. These bars look amazing! So delicious and I looooove anything caramelly coconutty and chocolatey 🙂 Pinning!

  52. These look like a fantastic way to celebrate a baby shower! Love anything with coconut in them!

  53. Oh my gosh Joanne these bars are sooo tempting! I love all that buttery caramel, chocolate, and of course caramel! Our girl Z’s favorite. Thank you so much for being a part of the celebration today!

  54. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  55. easypeasy says:

    Love, love, love caramel! Never tasted it with coconut though this would be really fun to try!

  56. HOLY COCONUT! You really brought it, didn’t you? These look and sound divine!

  57. Kate says:

    Well the process of making the babies is fun too. It’s why we spent years “practicing” before we actually tried to get pregnant.

  58. I snorted real loud at your “Freudian slip” and I’m at the library at a kids event so I got some states (worth it). I think it’s great that you guys were able to meet in person. I’d love to be able to meet you guys one day! But in the meantime, you can always send me a few [boxes] of these bars because I see myself noming on these nonstop

  59. Oh wow, these look delicious!! Perfect for a (virtual) baby shower 🙂

  60. Ah, so now we know what you are doing on your honeymoon (haha). Lovely way to celebrate indeed 🙂

  61. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  62. so jealous that you’ve met Z in person! She’s seriously gonna be the best mom 🙂

    and girrrrl these bars may be my fave thing for the shower-I looove the caramel + coconut + chocolate combo!

  63. Girl, I am loving how these bars are packed with coconut and dressed in chocolate! PERFECT for Z’s celebration!

  64. […] Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others […]

  65. Kelly says:

    Holy cow girl, these bars are everything! Samoa anything is my favorite! Love all that coconut, caramel goodness packed in here! Z is the best and totally wish we could all celebrate together 🙂

  66. grace says:

    all my friends preferred the thin mints, but i was a samoas gal. these are awesome!

  67. It would have been so much fun to get together in person! I would love to try one of these bars – Samoas are my favorite, and these bars look even better than the real thing! Hope you are having a great summer!

  68. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

  69. Johanna GGG says:

    Caramel, coconut and chocolate is a flavour combo close to my heart – sounds like a wonderful present for your friend

  70. […] The Spiffy Cookie  Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen  Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others  Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy  Coconut […]

  71. elly says:

    Chocolate and coconut are a match made in heaven. I would eat these every day if I could.

  72. […] Bars, by The Spiffy Cookie Blueberry-Ginger Coconut Cheesecake Popsicles, by Floating Kitchen Caramel Coconut Cluster Bars, by Eats Well with Others Chocolate Coconut Cake, by Brunch with Joy Coconut Breakfast Pudding with […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *