Oh my gosh, you guys – these coconut toffee chocolate chip cookie bars are the stuff dreams are made of! I still remember the first time I pulled a pan of these golden beauties out of the oven for our family reunion. The way the melted chocolate swirled with toasty coconut and caramel-like toffee bits had everyone crowding the kitchen. That perfect chewy texture with crispy edges? Absolute magic. These bars combine three of my favorite flavors – coconut, toffee, and chocolate – in one irresistible bite. They’ve become my go-to dessert for potlucks because, let’s be real, nobody can resist a cookie bar that’s basically three desserts in one!
Ingredients for Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Okay, let’s gather everything you’ll need for these dreamy bars! Here’s the breakdown of ingredients I swear by:
- 1 cup unsalted butter – softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – it should indent slightly when pressed)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar – packed firmly into the measuring cup (dark brown gives the best flavor!)
- 2 large eggs – straight from the fridge is fine, but room temp mixes better
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – pure vanilla makes a difference here
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled for accuracy
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded coconut – I use sweetened, but unsweetened works if you prefer less sugar
- 1 cup toffee bits – the little crunchy pieces that make these bars irresistible
- 1 cup chocolate chips – semisweet is my go-to, but milk chocolate makes them extra decadent
See? Nothing too fancy – just good quality basics that come together in the most magical way!
How to Make Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Alright, let’s get baking! Here’s exactly how I make these heavenly bars – follow these steps and you’ll have perfect results every time:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) – this is crucial for even baking right from the start. While it heats up, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper (trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze).
- Cream the butter and sugars – In your stand mixer or large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for a good 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This creates air pockets that make the bars perfectly chewy.
- Add eggs and vanilla – Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything incorporates evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients – Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add it to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined – overmixing makes tough bars!
- Fold in the goodies – Gently stir in the shredded coconut, toffee bits, and chocolate chips with a spatula. The dough will be thick, but that’s exactly what we want.
- Spread and bake – Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown around the edges. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Cool completely – I know it’s hard, but let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars. This prevents crumbling and lets the flavors develop fully.
Tips for Perfect Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Here are my tried-and-true secrets: Toast the coconut in a dry skillet for 5 minutes until golden – it adds incredible depth! Use room temperature ingredients (especially butter and eggs) for even mixing. Line your pan with parchment paper hanging over the edges – you’ll thank me when the bars lift out cleanly. And whatever you do, resist overmixing after adding the flour – a few flour streaks are better than tough bars!
Why You’ll Love These Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Let me count the ways these bars will steal your heart:
- That perfect chew – crispy edges with a soft center that makes you keep reaching for “just one more bite”
- Balanced sweetness – the toffee and coconut keep it interesting while the chocolate makes it feel indulgent
- Total crowd-pleaser – I’ve never brought these to a party without getting recipe requests
- Endlessly customizable – swap in nuts, different chocolates, or even drizzle with caramel if you’re feeling fancy
Honestly? These coconut toffee chocolate chip cookie bars are what happy memories taste like!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
One of my favorite things about these bars is how easily you can customize them! If you’re out of toffee bits, chopped pecans or walnuts add fantastic crunch. Dark chocolate chips make them extra sophisticated, while white chocolate pairs beautifully with the coconut. For gluten-free friends, I’ve had great success with 1:1 gluten-free flour blends. Need dairy-free? Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips – just watch the baking time as they brown faster!
Storing and Freezing Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Here’s the best part – these bars stay delicious for days! At room temperature, just pop them in an airtight container with parchment between layers (so they don’t stick together). They’ll keep their chewy texture for up to 5 days this way – if they last that long! For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to freezer bags. They’ll stay perfect for 3 months – just thaw at room temperature when your sweet tooth calls. Pro tip: I like to wrap individual bars in parchment before freezing for easy grab-and-go treats!
Nutritional Information for Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Here’s the scoop on what you’re biting into (per bar, based on cutting into 24 pieces): about 220 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated), 30g carbs (15g sugar, 1g fiber), and 2g protein. Just a heads up – these numbers can shift slightly depending on whether you use sweetened coconut or different chocolate brands. But hey, life’s too short to stress over a cookie bar’s nutrition facts when they taste this good!
Common Questions About Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Since I started making these bars, I’ve gotten so many questions – let me answer the most common ones! First: Can I use melted butter? Oh honey, no! Softened butter creams perfectly with sugar to create that dreamy texture. Melted butter makes dense, greasy bars. How do I prevent overbaking? Set that timer for 25 minutes and check – the edges should be golden but the center still slightly soft (it firms as it cools). And can I skip the coconut? Sure, but you’ll lose that wonderful chew and toasty flavor. Try chopped nuts instead for crunch!
Now It’s Your Turn!
Alright, my fellow baking enthusiasts – I’ve shared all my secrets for these incredible coconut toffee chocolate chip cookie bars, and now I want to see what you create! There’s nothing I love more than hearing how recipes turn out in other kitchens. Did you add any fun twists? Maybe threw in some pecans or tried them with dark chocolate? Did your family go crazy for them like mine does? Drop a comment below and tell me all about your baking adventure with this recipe. And don’t forget to share photos if you can – I live for those melty chocolate and golden crumb shots! Happy baking, friends!
Print
37 Genius Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars to Crave
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious coconut toffee chocolate chip cookie bars with a chewy texture and rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
- Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Fold in shredded coconut, toffee bits, and chocolate chips.
- Spread dough evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra crunch, toast the shredded coconut before adding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg