German Chocolate Cookie Bars

I’m not sure what it is, but I am obsessed with coconut right now.

Maybe all this winter weather is simply too much for me, and, in response, I’m making things that remind me of the light and airy days of summer.

Whatever the reason, I’m okay with it.

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First there was the Banana Pina Colada Muffins. Then German Chocolate Cupcakes.

And now…something I’m calling German Chocolate Cookie Bars.

But I guess they could also be called “I made too much German Chocolate icing and need something else to use it in” bars. Or “those cupcakes disappeared too quickly and we need a new sweet treat in the house” bars.

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Even if you don’t have a good reason to make these, do it anyway. You won’t regret it.

 

German Chocolate Cookie Bars

Crust:

  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Icing (see this post for icing directions):

  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Earth Balance
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp water
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1/2 –1 cup pecans

Chocolate Topping:

  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

 

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Cream Earth Balance/butter and sugar.

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Beat in flour, vanilla, and salt.

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The crust will be ready when the mixture is combined but still crumbly and when it clumps up when you press it together (like above).

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Dump crust into 8×8 baking dish and press into an even layer.

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Bake crust at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until set and golden around the edges. Let the crust cool completely.

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Once the crust is cool to the touch, spread on your cooled icing into an even layer on the crust.

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To make the chocolate topping, put your dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 minute, stirring every 20-30 seconds or until chocolate is melted and smooth.

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Dump chocolate on top of icing and smooth out, covering the entire dish.

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Let sit at room temperature until chocolate layer is set.

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I cut these into 16 pieces (from an 8×8 dish), and I’m glad I didn’t cut them any bigger!

These bars are delicious, but very rich, thanks to the coconut icing.

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But the richness didn’t stop me from having two of them right away.

25 comments

  1. Oh my yum-ness!

  2. These look especially delicious in that Le Creuset baking dish!

  3. These sound amazing. So rich and nutty! Definitely bookmarking

  4. I am totally obsessed with coconut too! I wish the husband liked it, but it’s probably better he doesn’t’ because I’d be eating it way more than I do now!

  5. Wow, I want t make these right away!

  6. Yum! Chocolate and coconut go SO well together!

  7. I love coconut. Those looks spectacular.

  8. Oh man! Look at the coconut layer! Please and thank you! :)

  9. I go through coconut phases every couple of months (German chocolate oatmeal being one of my faves!) & these bar cookies look killer. Mmm

  10. I am a total coconut lover myself and I’ll take any excuse to eat it in vast amounts! These sound delicious! I’d also like to have some leftover german chocolate icing in my fridge. It’s a little dream of mine.

  11. Oh my oh my I can just imagine the richness. They look so good Brandi! I need some house bars in my life.

  12. Ohh my goodness, Brandi! These are awesome!

  13. oh I’d have 2 right away too. The crust looks so good!

  14. These look so dang good!!!!! Wow! My mouth is watering right now.

  15. I just wanted to give you my “coconut” update. So tonight I had to pick up a few groceries and I found 2 new coconut items that look delicious. Maybe they are just new to my area but I’m excited that they’ve moved in.

    Celestial Seasonings DECAF Sweet Coconut Thai Chai Tea &

    General Foods International Coffee Almond Joy creamer!!

    • Ooh, that creamer sounds delicious! I actually think I have some of that tea somewhere…but I’m not sure where!

  16. ooooh yes, i need to try these too! you are on a roll with this german chocolate theme :)

  17. Yum, I like the idea of turning german chocolate cake into a cookie bar. How neat and so much easier to eat. I have a linky party on my blog right now called “Sweets for a Saturday” and I’d like to invite you to stop by and link this recipe up.

  18. Oooh wow–I never pass up a chance to have coconut and chocolate together..it’s always been one of my favs. I say you found a great way to use up the extra frosting ;-)

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