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Dream Bars Recipe

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3.8 from 7 reviews

Delicious and easy-to-make Dream Bars featuring a graham cracker crust topped with a sweet coconut layer and finished with a rich chocolate coating. These bars are perfect for holiday baking or an everyday sweet treat and can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.

  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups graham wafer crumbs (or digestive biscuit crumbs)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Coconut Filling

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (300ml in Canada, 14 oz in the US)
  • 2 cups unsweetened dried coconut (dessicated coconut)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
  • 3 tbsp butter or whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the Dream Bars.
  2. Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
  3. Make Crust Mixture: Melt 1/2 cup butter and combine it thoroughly with the graham wafer crumbs and sugar to create the crust base.
  4. Press Crust: Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust layer.
  5. Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set and lightly brown.
  6. Prepare Coconut Filling: While the crust is baking, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, dried coconut, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  7. Apply Coconut Layer: Evenly spread the coconut filling over the warm baked crust layer in the pan.
  8. Bake Coconut Layer: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the edges turn light brown. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars moist.
  9. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the filling.
  10. Melt Chocolate Topping: Melt together the chocolate chips and butter (or whipping cream) until smooth and glossy.
  11. Spread Chocolate: Evenly spread the melted chocolate over the cooled coconut layer and allow it to set for about an hour.
  12. Serve: Cut the set bars into squares and enjoy as a delightful dessert or snack.
  13. Storage Tip: These bars freeze well, making them a great option for holiday baking or preparing ahead of time for future treats.

Notes

  • For best results, use freshly crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits for a crunchy crust.
  • You can substitute whipping cream for butter in the chocolate topping for a smoother finish.
  • Ensure the bars cool completely before spreading the chocolate topping to prevent melting and mixing layers.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
  • Be cautious not to overbake the coconut layer to keep the bars moist and chewy.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://yourdailycook.com/dream-bars-recipe/