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Several squares of brownie bars on a light blue surface. White background.

Coconut Brownies (fudgy bars)

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5 from 4 reviews

A phenomenal recipe for coconut brownies. Fudgy squares with two layers where both flavors are very present without outshining the other. This is a gooey and easy recipe, and if you never tried the chocolate and coconut combination before you're in for a real treat. They keep well and can be frozen.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 squares

Ingredients

Units

For the brownie base:

  • 3/4 cup (105g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (150g) white or brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) butter, melted
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)

For the coconut top layer:

  • 1/2 cup (115g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) butter, at room temperature
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup (80g) unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF /180ºC.
  2. Butter or spray an 8 or 9-inch square metal pan and line the bottom and 2 sides with parchment paper. Two sides will be buttered but not lined. 

For the chocolate base:

  1. In a bowl mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and soda, salt and sugar.
  2. Make a well in the center and add melted butter, egg and extracts.
  3. Start in the middle by mixing the egg and incorporate the rest of the ingredients until you have a smooth mixture. I use the hand mixer at low speed.
  4. Spread in the prepared pan. Smooth top.

For the chocolate coconut layer:

  1. Beat cream cheese with butter until creamy and free of lumps. I use the same hand mixer without washing it.
  2. Add the egg and mix well.
  3. Stir in the sifted cocoa powder and vanilla and mix.
  4. Add the sifted powdered sugar and shredded coconut and mix well.
  5. Carefully spread on top of the base. For easier spreading, use the back of a spoon very lightly dipped in water so it slides easily.
  6. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the sides have puffed but the middle is still jiggly.
  7. Let cool on a wire rack, run a smooth knife around to make sure the sides and not stuck and carefully remove by lifting the parchment paper.
  8. Cut into squares.
  9. I like them better the next day. They are amazing straight from the refrigerator.

Notes

Baking time: consider that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as possible, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 

Sugar: they can be made with white or brown sugar. White sugar makes them sweeter and lighter in color.

Take them out while they're still a little wobbly in the center. It's mandatory for getting the consistency we all love. Brownies keep on baking after they're taken from the oven, so if you take them out when a tester comes out clean or almost your brownies will be tougher and dryer.

Don't beat them after adding the flour. And unless otherwise specified, don't beat them. Sometimes brownies call for beating eggs and sugar, but if not, don't beat them more than what is necessary to mix all ingredients well.

Use the right pan. When making chocolate bars or brownies make sure you use the pan size specified in the recipe. Otherwise, they will be too thin if baked in a larger pan or take too long if you use a smaller pan and that is not good either. I don't recommend using a glass pan as they not always bake as they should. 

  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Brownies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12
  • Calories: 306
  • Sugar: 28.7 g
  • Sodium: 146.8 mg
  • Fat: 16.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40.7 g
  • Fiber: 3.2 g
  • Protein: 4.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 76.6 mg

Find it online: https://vintagekitchennotes.com/chocolate-coconut-brownies/