Chocolate Coconut Bars {Macaroon Bars}

Easy no bake chocolate coconut bars recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. These macaroon bars are soft and chewy. Multiple variations included!

*Thank you Vital Proteins for sponsoring this post so that I can share this recipe with all of you. As always, all opinions are my own*

On my last run to the grocery store, I picked up a bag of strawberries and I swear some of them were as big as my fist and they were so juicy! As soon as I ate a few, I knew I would have to make these bars. These No Bake Peanut Butter Bars and Chocolate Crunch Bars are both healthy, no bake, and delicious like today's recipe too.

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• How to make easy chocolate coconut bars recipe from scratch? 
• Variations
• Tips and techniques for macaroon bars
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More easy no bake desserts
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Coconut- I used a combination of shredded and desiccated coconut. This can be sweetened or unsweetened.
• Coconut oil- This needs to be in melted form.
• Honey- Can be replaced with maple syrup.
• Strawberries- Make sure they are cut small and patted dry.
• Chocolate chips- I used semisweet but you can use dark or milk or white.
• Coconut milk- Highly recommend using canned coconut milk because it's thicker than whatever you get in cartons.

How to make easy chocolate coconut bars recipe from scratch? 

The process starts off with making a sweet and sticky coconut mixture. Spread that in a dish. Top it with chocolate ganache and freshly sliced strawberries. Chill and cut slices and enjoy.

Variations

• Add zests- Such as 1 teaspoon lime or lemon zest to give these bars an extra zing.
• Make balls- Roll this coconut mixture into balls. Chill them for an hour and dip them in melted chocolate. This way, you will end up with bite sized coconut truffles. You can also fill candy molds like I did with these Easy Pumpkin Truffles.
• Try different fruits- You can use blueberries, raspberries or even blackberries.
• Omit the fruit topping altogether- This great If you prefer things to be simple.
• Swirl jam on top- Instead of fresh strawberries, swirl some Homemade Strawberry Jam.
• Use a different sweetener- Such as maple syrup or agave syrup instead of honey (although it alters the taste a bit).
• Swirl nut butters- Such as peanut butter or almond butter on the chocolate layer before it sets. This is great for added healthy fats, protein, and richness.
• Add an extract- Such as vanilla, almond, or caramel to the coconut mixture for added flavor.
• Try incorporating caramel- Add this Homemade Caramel Sauce as a drizzle on top of the chocolate before adding the strawberries for added sweetness.
• Consider other toppings- Such as sea salt, crushed pretzels, chopped Oreos and candy bars.
• Frost them- Replace the chocolate ganache with Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting or Easy Honey Frosting.

Tips and techniques for macaroon bars

• Use a food processor- If you like, you can put all the ingredients for the coconut mixture in the a food processor and that will create a slightly smoother texture.
• Line pan with parchment paper or wax paper- Because this makes it possible to remove the bars cleanly so that you can slice them easily.
• Sweetened vs. Unsweetened coconut- Either can be used. My personal preference is unsweetened and I adjust the sweetness level through the amount of honey.
• Coconut milk substitute- You can use coconut cream or heavy cream. Don't use regular milk because the melted chocolate will seize.
• You must chill twice- Until the coconut mixture hardens and then again until the chocolate sets.
• Use canned coconut milk- Because it is thicker and works best for this recipe.

By now, you guys must know about my sheer love for Vital Proteins products. Their collagen peptides rock and I used them in today's recipe. In case you don't know, collagen peptides are great for the health of your skins, nails, hair and I have noticed a big difference. The best part is this powder is flavorless, colorless and odorless. Thus, adding a few scoops of these peptides won't affect your recipe at all.

Some of my most popular recipes have this powder and no one can even tell as you can see in these Fudgy Vegan Eggless Brownies or this Easy Raspberry Mousse and even these Carrot Cupcakes. Shhhh! It can be our little secret.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Refrigerate- In sealed container, separated by sheets of wax paper, for up to 5 days.
• Freeze- In sealed container, separated by sheets of wax paper, for up to 1 month. When you are ready to enjoy them, thaw in fridge overnight.
• Room temperature- These bars will lose their firmness if they are at room temperature for longer than 30 minutes.
• Make ahead- These can be made 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

More easy no bake desserts

• Date Bars or Squares (No Bake)
• S'mores Bars (No Bake)
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars (No Bake)
• Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars (Eggless)

Recipe