This Coconut Lime Bars recipe makes for an indulgent summer dessert that is creamy, tangy, and sweet. Perfect for that after-dinner sweet tooth!
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With a filling made of lime zest, lime juice and coconut milk, plus sweetened shredded coconut on top, Coconut Lime Bars are a refreshing treat on a hot summer day. Pair them with a refreshing glass of green tea or homemade lemonade for the perfect afternoon snack or end to the evening.
Love coconut? Try our coconut cream cheese dip next!
Ingredients
Coconut Lime Filling
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Coconut milk: use full fat canned coconut milk.
- Lime juice: freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor, but bottled when you want to make it easy.
- Lime zest
- Sour cream: can be replaced with plain Greek yogurt.
- Coconut extract (optional): this can be hard to find and expensive, so if you don't have it, skip it.
- Green food coloring (optional): only use if you'd like to make your lime coconut bars look more festive and limey.
- Shredded coconut: used for the topping, so sweetened coconut shreds make the best taste.
Crust
- Flour: all purpose flour (or whole wheat/almond/coconut for a healthier lime bar).
- Crushed graham crackers
- White sugar: can be substituted with light brown sugar or coconut sugar.
- Melted butter
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
There are only 2 hands-on steps to making this recipe.
- Make the crust. In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, crushed graham crackers, white sugar and melted butter. Mix, then press the mixture down into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated oven. While the crust bakes, move onto the next step to prepare the coconut lime filling.
- Make the filling. Mix together the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, lime zest and sour cream in the mixing bowl. If using, also add the coconut extract and green food coloring. Mix until smooth, then pour the filling onto the baked crust and return to the oven for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and while still warm sprinkle on the sweetened shredded coconut.
- Chill the bars in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set the filling. Once set, remove them from the pan by lifting up the parchment paper and transferring to a cutting board. Slice the bars into small squares or rectangles and serve.
How to Store and Freeze Lime Bars
Store coconut lime bars in the fridge for up to 1 week, covered. They can be frozen individually wrapped in freezer safe plastic wrap for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Tips For The Best Coconut Lime Bars
- For a more textured bar, add a cup or so of coconut shreds to the filling mixture before baking.
- Chill the bars in the refrigerator completely before serving. The longer they chill, the more firm the bars will be.
- You can use other size baking pans, such as a 9x9 or 9x13. Just make sure that the sides are raised so the filling doesn't spill over.
Enjoy!
Recipe
Coconut Lime Bars
This Coconut Lime Bars recipe makes for an indulgent summer dessert that is creamy, tangy, and sweet. Perfect for that after-dinner sweet tooth!
Equipment
- baking dish 8x8, 9x9, or 9x13 are fine
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- ½ cup graham crackers, crushed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 cups sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed preferred
- 2 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon coconut extract, optional
- 2-3 drops green food coloring, optional
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line the baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed ½ cup graham crackers, ⅓ cup white sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour and melted ½ cup butter. Mix well and press into the bottom of the parchment-lined pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, combine the 2 cups sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup full fat coconut milk, ½ cup sour cream, ¾ cup lime juice and 2 tablespoon lime zestin a large bowl. If using, also add the coconut extract and green food coloring. Mix until smooth, then pour on top of the baked crust.
- Continue baking for 15 more minutes, then remove from the oven. While still warm, sprinkle on 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set the filling.
- Remove the bars from the pan by lifting out the parchment paper. Slice and serve.
Notes
Store coconut lime bars in the fridge for up to 1 week, covered. They can be frozen individually wrapped in freezer safe plastic wrap for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
Serving: 3ozCalories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 126mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 220IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 178mgIron: 2mg
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Bernice says
Lime plus coconut equals MAGIC in these bars. They were so easy to make but tasted like a dream. Making these on repeat this summer because they're great with margaritas.
Jenny Graves says
In our house we don’t just have a “sweet tooth”. We have sweet teeth. Can’t wait to make these coconut and lime bars. I’m already addicted!
Lauren Michael Harris says
These bars were really easy to make and were so good! Even the kids love them. The flavor is perfect for summer too.
Marta says
The kids were going crazy so I put them to work in the kitchen making these coconut lime bars. Not only were the instructions approachable, the result was a delicious dessert that I didn't have to prepare!
Colleen says
I made these lime bars with my granddaughter. So easy to make and they disappeared fast! Will make again for sure.
Jacqueline Debono says
I loved the tropical flavour of these coconut lime bars! So easy to make too!
Jessica says
My new favorite take-everywhere potluck summer treat! Lol. These were easy, delicious, and they disappeared in less than 30 minutes. My kids are begging for me to make them again 😉
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
These scream summer!!! So light and refreshing! Absolutely perfect on a hot summer day!
Claire says
These coconut lime bars have such a refreshing flavor profile and were so easy to make. This is definitely going to be my go-to dessert this summer!
Amy says
Are eggs missing in the filling? What is the point of baking the filling with the current ingredients listed (coconut milk, sour cream, lime juice, condensed milk)?
Maddy says
Hi Amy,
Eggs are not missing. Baking will set the filling, which should then be completely cooled to complete the setting. Enjoy!
Jessica says
Can you switch up the lime for a different flavor? I'm not a big fan of lime, but I'm not going very far, maybe lemon? Even vanilla? What would you use for the substitute of the lime juice if using vanilla? Thanks so much!
Maddy says
Hi Jessica. Lemon would make a great substitute. I think vanilla sounds great too, and you can use 2-3 tablespoons of vanilla extract. What about strawberry? You can substitute the lime juice with strawberry syrup, or pureed strawberries.