It’s hard to resist these gorgeous Brown Sugar Meringue Coconut Cookie Bars. A sweet cookie crust piled with chocolate chips, coconut and pecans and topped with a magnificent brown sugar meringue. Just stunning!
I surprised my dad with these bars on Father’s Day. Well, I don’t know about “surprised” as he is always expecting some yummy coconut treat from me on his special day đŸ™‚
My dad is obsessed with coconut. Can’t get enough of the stuff, really. Fortunately for him, he has two daughters that live within driving distance that enjoy baking up treats for him. He’ll take it anyway he can get it – ice cream, magic bars, pie, smoothies – he’s open to it all.
Whether it’s my Nana’s to-die-for carrot cake or his favorite coconut cream pie I made for his birthday, Father’s Day simply cannot go by with some sort of coconut confection. Last year for Father’s Day we gorged on this insane Pina Colada Fudge.
I need to make that again ASAP.
Since we had a pretty adventurous meal planned for lunch, I knew these cookie bars would be the perfect treat for later. We made up my mom’s BBQ Beef Ribs with her homemade bbq sauce. Which, I totally need to share. Every time I make it for guests I am told I need to bottle and sell the stuff.
I’ve been known to eat it by the spoonful.
We had fresh corn that I picked up straight from the grower on Sunday morning, my dad’s favorite jello salad (recipe also coming soon!), spinach dip (we would be in BIG trouble if we failed to bring that…), watermelon, oh and the list goes on!
We were all stuffed after lunch. Like, it was hard to move. So we went outside to work up an appetite. Set a couple fence posts, did some raking, pulled out cedar seedlings (those things are a total nuisance in the mountains), and just had a generally great time helping out my dad.
I love it when manual labor is fun đŸ™‚
We were finally ready for these bars and they did not disappoint. The brown sugar meringue topping is something seriously special and a nice change of pace from standard cookie bars.
The chocolate, coconut, and pecans are sandwiched between a delicious cookie crust and the gorgeous meringue topping for a truly beautiful presentation that I know you’re going to love.
These bars are definitely worthy of a special occasion, especially when you’ve got coconut lovers around đŸ™‚ Enjoy!
Brown Sugar Meringue Coconut Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans optional
Brown Sugar Meringue
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Mix melted butter and sugars together in a bowl.
- Stir in egg yolks and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, corn starch, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir flour mixture into butter mixture just until combined.
- Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Press cookie dough into bottom of dish.
- Sprinkle on chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans.
- Beat egg whites until foamy.
- Beat in one cup of brown sugar, adding one tablespoon at a time.
- Continue beating until stiff and glossy.
- Spread meringue over the top of the chocolate, chips, coconut, and pecans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. (Do not overbake.)
- Cool completely before cutting.
- Store in airtight container.
Nutrition
More coconut favorites:
Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
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Holly Waterfall says
oh my! I have a very similar obsession with coconut as your dad does. Any form. In food, in lotion, in candles. All of it. And these bars with that meringue crunch on top look absolutely to die for!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! I am a coconut lover too Holly đŸ™‚ Thanks so much!
Linda Warren says
Oh my goodness! These bars look so good! I love pecans, chocolate and coconut so there is no turning back – got to make them now! Thanks for sharing on Create Link Inspire.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Linda!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
Holy!! These look incredible. Your dad is lucky to have your help and your treats đŸ˜‰
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes he is and he knows it đŸ™‚ Thanks Stephanie!
Ala says
Oh. My. Gawsh. TRISH!!!! These are hands-down some of the most gorgeous bars I’ve seen, ever, period. I am totally ready to make these the next time I make custard tiramisu and have extra egg whites on hand. THANK you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Aww – thank you Ala!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Trish these bars look amazing! That brown sugar meringue on top is so unexpected, I just love it (pinned)! So happy you enjoyed your Father’s Day weekend too!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Allie! We had so much fun on Father’s Day đŸ™‚ Can’t wait to go visit again!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I want to put brown sugar meringue on every single thing I eat for the rest of my life.
My husband and your dad would be great buds – my hubby loves coconut on everything, too! I used to not be huge fan (texture thing!) but I really love it now! I actually eat quite a bit now – and I love it! đŸ™‚ This recipe looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Me too Gretchen đŸ™‚ I didn’t used to be the biggest coconut fan either, but now – SERIOUS coconut lover here! Thank you!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
That top photo really did it to me! The texture of these looks amazing. I look forward to seeing the BBQ sauce post!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Valerie! The meringue is just so pretty!
marcie says
I’m obsessed with coconut, too, so I’d be all over these bars. I love that you topped them with brown sugar meringue, one of my very favorite things! These look heavenly. Pinning!
Mir says
Your dad is so lucky! I hope my daughters bake for me someday!
These look phenomenal. Layers of goodness!
Ashton says
Wowza girl!!! These look incredible!!
Matt Robinson says
So many incredible things happening in these bars, love everything about them!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I call these Mud Hen bars and I LOVE THIS VERSION like x1 million. SO GOOD!
Happy Valley Chow says
What a great idea to incorporate brown sugar into the meringue. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Librarian Lavender says
Those bars are looking so delicious! I bet your dad loved them, just as the rest of the food. It was great to read about your Father’s Day!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love the story about your day and it almost felt like I was right there…eating corn and spinach dip đŸ™‚ Sounds like a blast and LOVE the brown sugar meringue on these! I rarely make meringue and now I totally want to try it on bars!