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    Home » Blog » Whole Food Recipes » Best Dessert Recipes » Simple Cookie Recipes

    December 15, 2016 | By Jami

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bar Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    Totally delicious recipe for caramel coconut shortbread bars made with homemade caramel, unsweetened coconut and topped with a layer of dark chocolate. Head over to the Simple Cookie Recipes page for more easy cookie recipe ideas!

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars on cutting board

    When I discovered this recipe for caramel coconut shortbread bars years ago they quickly moved to the top of my favorite Christmas cookie list, since they include all the best elements:

    • Buttery shortbread bottom layer.
    • A second layer of caramel mixed with coconut.
    • Finished with a layer of dark chocolate.

    They remind me of Girl Scout Samoas Cookies, but with a lot more caramel. Which makes them kind of hard to give away in our goody bags, as you can imagine!

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars are a favorite holiday cookie

    But I do, along with peanut butter brownie sandwich cookies, homemade butter mints, Moose Munch caramel corn, and Quadruple Brownies. I just make sure to keep a few aside...

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Bars

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars-making shortbread crust

    The Base.

    While they seem complicated with the layers, to make these caramel coconut shortbread bars, you simply bake up a 5-ingredient shortbread crust, layer it with caramel layer that's mixed with coconut and top it all with melted chocolate.

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars-making homemade caramel in a microwave

    The Caramel Layer.

    This recipe is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe, which called for wrapped caramel candies. You can probably guess that I would not have any of those around (plus, they always taste funny to me - are they real?), so my version uses an easy caramel made with a can of sweetened condensed milk, that you can make one of two ways (it's similar to my Caramel Apple Dip, but cooked longer).

    Option 1: Make a lower-sugar caramel in the microwave.

    • Pros: uses less sugar, doesn't need constant stirring, no chance of burning on bottom, no thermometer needed.
    • Cons: can overflow the bowl at the end if not watched, sets up harder - not as soft and chewy.

    Option 2: Make a more traditional caramel on the stove with a candy thermometer.

    • Pros: control consistency better with a thermometer, softer texture, makes more so you can make a few caramel candies, too.
    • Cons: potential for burning, need to stir constantly, uses more sugar and a thermometer.

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars cut

    I've done it both ways (master of the obvious, here), and I can tell you that I like the finished product better when I use the stove-top version, but I like the ease of the microwave technique (and the almost no risk of burning). So I choose depending on the amount of time I have - you simply cannot do other things when making stove-top caramel.

    To give you an idea of the difference, here is a comparison of the original photos I took of this recipe in 2010 using the stove-top caramel next to the current photos with the microwaved caramel that was refrigerated overnight (and let's just focus on how far my photography skills have come and not how bad they were, k? 🙂 ):

    Different caramel cooking techniques for caramel coconut shortbread bars

    I think you see what I mean by the texture differences. But I can tell you that both are equally delicious!

    Delicious Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars

    The ease of the microwaved version, plus the fact that it uses less sugar - and still tastes amazing! - is winning me over to that cooking technique, I think. It's still chewy with the same great flavor. But since choices are a good thing, I'm giving you both cooking options in the printable recipe when you click the arrow below.

    However you make the caramel, please make these - everyone on your goody list will LOVE them, I promise.

    Delicious Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars
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    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars Recipe

    Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bars combine caramel and coconut in a perfect layer between shortbread and dark chocolate.
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 48 cookies
    Author: Jami Boys

    Ingredients

    Shortbread Layer:

    • 12 tablespoons softened butter 1½ sticks
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1¾ cups flour
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt

    Caramel Layer STOVE TOP:

    • 1 cup butter
    • 2¼ cup packed brown sugar 1 pound
    • 1 cup honey
    • 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

    OR Caramel Layer MICROWAVE METHOD:

    • 1-1/4 sticks butter 10 tablespoons
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    • 3 tablespoons honey
    • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

    Chocolate Layer:

    • 12 ounce bag dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet, about 2 cups

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the shortbread by combining the butter and sugar and beating until fluffy with a mixer. Stir in the vanilla, then add the flour and salt, mixing just until incorporated. Press into a 9 x 13-in pan and use a fork to prick the dough at 1-inch intervals. Bake until golden around the edges, 18-22 minutes.
    • TO MAKE HOMEMADE CARAMEL:
    • Stove Top Method (using the first caramel ingredient list): melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, honey, and salt and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid burning (seriously!!).
    • Use a candy themometer to heat the caramel to 240 degrees (soft ball stage). This will take a total of 10 to 15 minutes to boil and reach 240 degrees- so settle in for some stirring (take it from me- don't try to do anything else, just turn the tunes up and stir away...). Once the themometer reaches 240, turn the heat down slightly to keep the caramel at the 240 stage for 2 full minutes (keeping the caramel at the soft ball stage ensures you will have soft candy and not hard caramel that will break apart). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
    • Place the coconut in a large bowl and pour 2/3* of the caramel over the coconut; mix together thoroughly.
    • Microwave Method (using the second caramel ingredient list): Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl (like a glass 8-cup measure or larger). Add sugar, honey, milk, and salt - still well. Microwave on full power for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Test for soft-ball stage: drop a tiny amount into a cup of cold tap water and if a soft ball forms it's done (you'll be able to roll it with your fingers). If not, cook another 1-2 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn't overflow. Stir in vanilla and coconut.
    • Spread the caramel-coconut mixture over the shortbread layer.
    • Melt the chocolate and spread over the caramel layer. If you want to make the chocolate pretty, run a knife through the chocolate at 1-inch intervals width-wise, then again length-wise for a chevron effect.
    • Let cool completely (overnight is best) before cutting into small squares (I cut into 8 x 6) and freeze or store in airtight containers.

    Notes

    *Pour the rest of the caramel into a parchment-lined 8x8 or 7 x 11 pan to cool. When cool, cut into little squares and wrap in wax paper for you own homemade caramel candies. Feel free to dip some squares into melted chocolate, too.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.7g | Protein: 1.4g | Fat: 13.5g | Saturated Fat: 8.8g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 24.8g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!

    Note: this recipe was originally published in 2010 and has been updated with all new photos, a lower-sugar caramel option, new formatting, and printable recipe.

    Other Cookies You May Like

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    Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars

     

    Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars

    Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars

     

    Grain Free Almond Chocolate Truffle Bars

    Grain Free Almond Chocolate Truffle Bars

     

     

     

     

     

     

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kathy says

      December 15, 2016 at 2:05 pm

      These look EPIC! Just right for the holidays.

      Reply
    2. Kim says

      December 09, 2011 at 1:41 am

      Great cookie recipes!

      My peanut butter boy six year old will love these! Merry Christmas 🙂

      Reply
    3. Nags says

      January 01, 2011 at 8:29 am

      i love the look of these!!

      Reply
    4. Lori@Paisley Passions says

      December 28, 2010 at 4:31 am

      WOW! I think I gained 10lbs just LOOKING at them 🙂 They look wonderful!

      Just wanted to let you know that I am starting a new weekly linky party on Jan 7th called Fun w/ Food Friday. If you have time, I would LOVE for you to come link up some of your delicious recipes!

      http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com

      Reply
    5. Elizabeth says

      December 27, 2010 at 10:39 pm

      These look DIVINE! I made samoas a while ago and the caramel coconut chocolate combo is definitly addicting!

      Reply
    6. mamamia says

      December 26, 2010 at 4:11 am

      oooh, yummy! have bookmarked this one to try out over the holidays. I'm sure the kids will LOVE it!

      Merry Christmas to you!

      Reply
    7. elizabeth says

      December 23, 2010 at 8:29 pm

      Oh my Lord, girl, I want to make these so bad right now, I just don't know if Ihave itin me to make another grocery stop. phew! Maybethey can be my new New Year tradition....!
      Thanks for sharing this awesomeness!
      Merrrymerry!

      Reply
    8. vickie says

      December 23, 2010 at 11:41 am

      These look so wonderful! I'm making cookies today again and I'll have to try these -of course I'll use your carmel ingredients.
      Have a Merry Christmas
      vickie

      Reply
    9. Jami @An Oregon Cottage says

      December 23, 2010 at 3:56 pm

      Amy- That's too funny. 😉

      You won't be sorry, Amy!

      Reply
    10. wacki04@TheKing'sCourt IV says

      December 23, 2010 at 4:28 am

      Ohhh, I'm a sucker for caramel! These look great! Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays 🙂

      Reply
    11. amy in peru says

      December 22, 2010 at 10:52 pm

      I kid you not the first words out of my mouth after seeing your post title in my reader, was...

      "Um, those are my new favorite cookies!" I then proceeded to read your first line and laughed outloud 😉

      I'm printing! 😉

      Merry Christmas!

      amy in peru

      Reply
    12. A Heritage From The Lord says

      December 22, 2010 at 5:36 pm

      These look soo yummy:) I might have to make this, I have made some thing kind of like this but the middle is peanut butter and condensed milk, its always a hit. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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