Raspberry Coconut Magic Bars are easy to prepare and are sure to delight the coconut lover in your life!
My Dad celebrated his 60th birthday on Friday. My brother celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday. Confusing? Well get this…they have the same name too! And quite typically {as in always} they really don’t have the same vision for what they want to do on their birthdays. Solution? We party for a couple days straight!
My Dad is a big coconut fan so anything I make with coconut he loves. I knew I was going to make up a batch of Raspberry Coconut Magic Bars for his birthday but he surprised me with a request for a German chocolate cake {usually it’s my Nana’s Carrot Cake}. I had my Nana’s German chocolate cake and frosting recipe so I whipped that up…and had totally forgotten how addictive the frosting is. Totally. Addicting. Bryce found out that he L-O-V-E-S coconut! And frosting. He ate, by the spoonful, and I am not joking here, about a half a cup of German Chocolate frosting before it made it to the cake. Seriously.
When I took it away from him, he asked me, and I quote, “Can I have some for snack then?” Oh my goodness. I explained that it was supposed to go on Grandpa’s cake to which Bryce responded, “I don’t want cake. I want frosting!” I hear ya honey – I hear ya. How do you explain to a four year old that the sole reason for cakes is so that we can eat the frosting? It’s simply not dignified to eat frosting by itself. Now, of course, if you’re alone…totally different story. Or, if you’re four…
Anyways, the cake and most of the frosting made it to my sister’s house for after dinner. My Dad had fun trying to blow out the sparkler candles and then the boys stepped in and giggling away, attempted to blow them all out as they kept re-lighting. Good times!
I guess you’re wondering when the Raspberry Coconut Magic Bars came into play right? Well Saturday we had a BBQ at my house for my brother and he requested fruit salad instead of a cake. I saved the bars for Saturday so we would all have something sweet to snack on. Well, most of the bars were saved for Saturday…
If you have a coconut lover in your life – these bars are PERFECTION! They start out with a graham cracker crust and lots of coconut. The magical ingredient, sweetened condensed milk, is poured over the top and then it’s thrown in the oven. Layer on your favorite flavor of preserves {blackberry is super good too!}, some chopped nuts of your choice {we went with pecans} and then drizzle on some chocolate.
If you’ve got bored kids around – this is a great recipe for them to help out with. Bryce was able to spread the preserves and sprinkle on the pecans…
Let the bars chill for a bit and cut ‘em up! Magical isn’t it?
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 stick {1/2 cup} butter, melted
- 2 Tbls sugar
- 3 cups sweetened, flaked, coconut
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup seedless raspberry preserves {or the flavor of your choice}
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup white baking chips
- 1 tsp shortening
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar in a small bowl.
- Press into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Sprinkle the coconut over the crust and drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until coconut is lightly browned.
- Let cool completely.
- Spread the preserves over the cooled coconut crust and sprinkle with pecans.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave and stir until nice and smooth. Drizzle over pecans.
- Melt the white chips in the microwave and add shortening. Stir until nice and smooth. Drizzle over the top.
- Let chocolate firm up in the fridge or on the counter and cut into bars.
- Makes 36 bars.
Some more recipes we love:
Chocolate Cherry Marshmallow Crunch Bars
Reese’s Peanut Butter Mini Cheesecakes
Magic from friends:
Fudge Mint Magic Cookie Bars from Something Swanky
Almond White Chocolate Magic Bars from Crazy for Crust
Magic Turtle Bars from Chocolate, Chocolate, and More
Connect with me!
Linking up here, Home Stories A2Z, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, and My Repurposed Life.
The Raspberry Bars look wonderful but so does the German Chocolate Cake.Could I have one of each? Thank you for sharing your family and recipes. Family and Food…close to the heart.
We may have met by chance…but we become friends by choice.
http://simpleesue.com/top-tip-for-today-10-household-uses-for-milk/
Thank you Sue! Have a great week!
Trish these look insane! I love how all of your recipes look so yummy and so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us this week at the Monday Funday link party!
Take care,
Trish
Thank you so much Trish!
OMG Trish. I MUST make these. I can see doing them blackberry for my dad, he’d LOVE that!
Blackberry is SUPER delicious too! Actually, you really can’t go wrong with any flavor :)
Oh wow, these look fantastic! I am going to have to make these one day!
Stopping by from Make the Scene Monday. Have a fabulous week! :)
So glad you stopped by Julie! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
Trish these bars look FABULOUS !!
I love the combination of flavors :)
It’s morning here, and I might not be fully awake yet, but I can’t see the coconut in the recipe…..
LOL! Oh those pesky details ;) It’s there now Winnie!
Oh my gosh, Trish!! How beautiful are these?! Raspberry is one of my faves and these look fantastic!
Wow is all I can say. I would love to have German Chocolate Cake recipe too. My son in law’s favorite cake and his birthday is 4th of July. I love carrot cake recipe that is my favorite cake in the world. So can’t wait to try it too and who doesn’t like magic bars?
thanks bunches,
wanda
I do need to post the German Chocolate Cake recipe and frosting from my Nana – soon! Thanks Wanda!
It really is all about the frosting-I’m totally with Bryce! I love German chocolate frosting! Love the idea of using fruit in a magic bar. Raspberry was the perfect choice!
Totally! Thanks so much for the sweet comment Tanya :)
OH MY…not only do these bars look absolutely scrumptious with all the coconut…but your little Bryce SO made me smile today! (Your dad does NOT look his age!)
Oh thank you so much Gloria! Bryce is definitely my little helper {and taste-tester} in the kitchen ;) I will pass along your comment to my Dad – I’m sure it will make him smile :) Hope you have a wonderful week!
Those are downright magical looking!! Man, now if I only had a bowl of frosting and a few bars like that to dive into while I am all alone today!!! Love your cute little helper!!
Thanks so much Jocelyn! I think frosting and bars make any day just that much better :)
Oh, heavens! These bars ARE magical …. they looks absolutely gorgeous :)
Thanks so much Bibi!
These look sooo good! This is a fantastic project! Would you consider linking this up at my Pinworthy Projects Party? I hope to see you there!
Your cakes looks soooo yummy and delicious, I hope you will post the recipe for the German Chocolate Cake an your Nana’s frosting! I’m from germany an try to learn English AND baking/cooking…and your blog ist fantastic to read. I would like to know, if your German Cake ist like “my” German Cake. :o)
I like to read more…
(Sorry for my grammatical errors…)
Hi Jutta! So glad to have you stop by :) I will definitely work on getting the recipe up for the frosting and cake soon!
Magic bars indeed! These look amazing! Thanks for linking up to Monday Funday!
Thank you Kelly!
Oh, my…those raspberry coconut bars look amazing! Actually they are making me want one right now:) I can’t wait to try these. Thanks for sharing another wonderful recipe!
I kind of wish I had one right now too Shannon :) Thanks for stopping by!
Can’t wait to try these, Trish! And all your other recipes look just as amazing! I’d better get busy baking. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a wonderful day!
You’re so sweet Brooke! Thank you so much for stopping by!
What a fun twist on magic bars! My hubby loves raspberry & coconut (and I do too!)! This would be an awesome treat for us. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for visiting Meghan!
Pinning this! These look awesome! And Bryce is a cutie pie!
Thank you for the pin Jenna and I couldn’t agree more about Bryce ;) He’s my little buddy!
Hi Trish! Oh my goodness, these are beautiful! I love making magic bars and anything involving raspberry has me running to the kitchen. They look unbelievable and put me in the mood for summertime.
You are too sweet Sally! Thank you!
I agree, I would love the recipe for the german cake. looks delicious!!
I guess I need to make that cake again soon :) Thanks for stopping by Jennifer!
Oh wow, these look fantastic! Yum, can’t wait to try them, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Christi! They’re quite addictive :)
These look delicious! Magic cookie bars are some of the most beautiful creations on the planet. Your German chocolate cake has me drooling, too
Thank you so much Dru! Hope you’re having a great week!
Stopping by from Chef-In-training’s party! Pinning these cause they look amazing =)
Thanks Lisa!
These were amazing. Thank you!
You’re quite welcome :)
These look utterly delicious! Yum! I definitely want to try these! Stopping by from Somewhat Simple’s Linky Party!
Thank you so much Blayne!
LOVE the look of those raspberry bars! Pinning for later ;-)
Thanks for the pin Korrie!
Yum Trish! These look outstanding!
Thanks so much Tonia!
OMG! These look like heaven in a bar! I am making these to serve at Easter.
Thanks for sharing!
Cathy
APeekIntoMyParadise@blogspot.com
Oh you’re gonna love them! Soo good Cathy! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later today!
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me this evening for Make the Scene Monday #67!
Thanks so much Sarah!
Congratulations on being featured at the Melt In Your Mouth Monday Blog Hop! The photo of these bars was so beautiful, I had to stop by. I love raspberries and coconut…this dessert is just my style.
New follower, fan, etc. ♥
Would love it if you’d visit my site, especially for Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Would you please add this post as one of your links? My readers will love it.
Blessings,
Sinea Ducks ‘n a Row
Trish, I had to come back. As I was out and about, running errands, I was thinking about these bars. HOW….please tell me HOW you cut them so perfectly? I have improved my technique with brownies but bars such as this tend to be sticky. How do you get such a clean cut?
Make sure the bars are chilled and if necessary, wipe the knife between cuts :)
These were the best bars ever!!! I made them for Easter and everyone couldn’t stop talking/thinking about them! I substituted regular graham crackers for gluten free ones and also subbed the white sugar in the crust for coconut sugar and they were absolutely delicious!!!!
Just made my day Tiffany! So glad you enjoyed the recipe and your substitutions sound fabulous!
Lookie-dee–these are popping into my oven right now! I really can’t wait for them to come out. The color in your photos is absolutely gorgeous–and so is your family :) I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog. Such sweetness! It really put a bright spot in my day.
Oh you totally just made my day Ala! I sure hope you enjoyed the bars and I am so glad you found me too!
Holy COW!! Those bars look ridiculously good! I really need to make these. I love the raspberry and coconut together and oooo, those pecan on top. Yum!!
Thanks Kate!
I was just wondering if anyone has tried putting all the layers together for the coconut raspberry bars & baking all at once instead of baking the bottom & microwaving the top? I know that standard matrimonial bars have the chocolate, coconut & nuts all layered, then topped with sweet & condensed milk before baking. Just wondering if maybe it had to be separate because of crunch or something.
You absolutely could Michele but it would alter the taste and texture slightly. By putting that first time – the coconut gets nicely toasted which contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the dessert. Hope that helps!
OH holy cow! These look dangerous, but in a good way.
Wow! These are yummy!
I baked these today, and am trying to resist the urge to eat another one before hubby gets home from work. (Oh, what the heck, he’ll be eating more than his fair share, I’m sure of it!)
I substituted toasted slivered almonds in place of the pecans, and forgot to grease the baking dish, and had no problems.
Thanks for sharing this terrific recipe, Trish.
I am SO glad you enjoyed the recipe Diane! Just made my night :) Almonds are delicious in this recipe too – thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh.Man. These look and sound so decadent!
I was chuckling at the frosting bit. It’s not dignified…unless you’re alone…or 4. :)
It’ll be our secret.
Kelly
Hehe :) Thank you Kelly!
These both look so luscious! I can’t wait to try them out but the raspberry bars are calling my name! Thanks for sharing. rita@pinkpolkadotcreations.com
Thank you so much Rita!
Trish you are so talented! These look amazing, and I would love for you to join me at the Pretty Things Link Party (live now) hope to see you there :)
xo, Tanya
http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2013/04/pretty-things-16-link-party-and.html
Thank you so much Tanya!
These look fabulous!!! Yummm!
Thank you so much Robin!
LOVE these! raspberry and coconut ate two of my favorite flavors
These look absolutely amazing! I just pinned these look absolutely amazing! I mean you have chocolate and raspberries and coconut! Man, I can’t wait to have a bite! :) Krista @ A Handful of Everything
There are so many “magic bar” recipes out there that I usually don’t read them but you caught me at “raspberry”. I was also intrigued at the amount of coconut and how you baked it then finished assembling it. They turned out fantastic and even the men I served them to loved them! I did have a little trouble drizzling the melted chocolate chips but not the white chocolate chips which had the shortening added. Do you think it might help to add the same amount of shortening to the chocolate chips or is there some reason not to?
Thanks for a great recipe!
Thank you Patty! If your chocolate isn’t melting you can always add a little bit of shortening to it and it will make it drizzle easier. I always have issues with white chocolate which is why I added it here but it works for either. I’m so glad you gave the recipe a try and thank you so much for stopping back by to leave me a comment! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Made these and they were wonderful. I used apricot instead of Raspberry. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Mmmm apricot! Delicious! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Candace!
I made these last night and my family can’t stop raving about them. I may or may not have had some for breakfast! ;) Can’t wait to try them with other flavors of jam–although raspberry is always my favorite. Thanks for sharing such a fabulous recipe.
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That’s awesome Danelle! Thank you! I will tell you they are pretty fantastic with blackberry too :)
Holy cute photo! Hahah
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Thanks Carrian!