These coconut cream bars are cool, creamy, and packed with tropical flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients and no oven required, they’re the perfect make-ahead dessert for warm days, parties, or just when you’re craving something sweet and easy.

Coconut Cream Bars by Tessie's Table. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table

This is one of those desserts that feels refreshing but still has that homemade comfort food feel. The buttery graham cracker crust holds up great without baking, and the coconut pudding layer sets firm enough to slice, thanks to instant pudding and a reduced milk ratio. It’s a great option for cookouts, potlucks, or holidays when oven space is limited. Just like my Peanut Butter Pie and Texas Sheet Cake!

Why you’ll love these Coconut Cream Bars

No baking required:
Everything comes together right in your kitchen—no need to turn on the oven. Just mix, chill, and slice.
Great texture and flavor:
You get a crisp graham cracker base, a thick coconut custard middle, and a light, fluffy topping with crunchy toasted coconut.
Easy to prep ahead:
These bars need time to chill, which makes them ideal for making the night before a gathering or event.

Nine coconut cream bars topped with toasted coconut, surrounded by graham crackers, shredded coconut, whipped topping, and coconut halves.

A Little Coconut Goes a Long Way:

Coconut has always been one of those flavors I never get tired of. I like it toasted, in creamy desserts, or even just sprinkled over yogurt. These bars came together on a day I had a craving for something cool and coconutty, and they’ve been on repeat ever since. Especially in the summer when easy, make-ahead desserts are the real MVP. if you love coconut, be sure to try my Coconut Macaroons and Samoas Cookies.

Ingredients Needed for Coconut Cream Bars

Graham crackers – These form the base of the crust. Crushing them finely helps everything hold together once chilled. You can use a food processor or just pop them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Sugar – Just a little bit adds sweetness to the crust and helps balance the coconut.
Shredded coconut – This goes into the crust and gets toasted for the topping. Use sweetened or unsweetened based on your preference.
Butter – Melted butter binds the crust and gives it that rich, buttery flavor.
Instant vanilla pudding – Go for the instant kind so it sets quickly and holds its shape when sliced.
Milk – Use cold milk to mix with the pudding. Whole milk gives the best texture, but 2% works too.
Coconut extract – Adds that extra coconut flavor to the pudding layer. Just a splash goes a long way.
Cool Whip – Light, creamy, and easy to spread over the custard layer. You can use homemade whipped cream if you’d rather, but I like the convenience of Cool Whip for this.
Toasted coconut – Toast it in a dry pan for a few minutes until golden. It adds great texture and even more coconut flavor on top.

How to make Coconut Cream Bars

**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**

Graham cracker crumbs, sugar, shredded coconut, and melted butter in a bowl before mixing.

Crush the graham crackers and mix them with sugar, shredded coconut, and melted butter.

Graham cracker and coconut crust pressed into a parchment-lined 9x9 pan, ready to chill.

Press the mixture into a 9×9-inch pan and chill for 30 minutes.

nstant vanilla pudding mix combined with milk in a glass bowl, ready to be whisked.

Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk and coconut extract until thick. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Thick vanilla coconut pudding spread over chilled graham cracker crust in square pan.

Spread the pudding over the chilled crust.

Whipped topping spooned over the firm pudding layer in a square baking pan.

Spread Cool Whip evenly over the pudding layer.

Golden brown shredded coconut toasting in a nonstick pan on a light countertop.

Toast the coconut in a dry pan until golden, then let it cool.

Finished coconut cream bars topped with a generous layer of toasted coconut in the pan.

Sprinkle the toasted coconut on top.

Nine coconut cream bars sliced and arranged on parchment, showing clean layers and toasted topping.

Refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.

Variations

Chocolate coconut bars: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the crust and use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla for a rich twist that pairs well with the coconut.
Pineapple coconut bars: Mix ½ cup of well-drained crushed pineapple into the pudding layer before spreading it over the crust. It adds a tropical, juicy flavor that works perfectly with the coconut.
Almond joy-style bars: Add a handful of mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds to the crust, then drizzle melted chocolate over the top before chilling.
Whipped cream topping: Swap Cool Whip for homemade whipped cream if you prefer. Just whip 1 cup of heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar until soft peaks form.

Serving Suggestions

Keep them cold: These bars are best served straight from the fridge. The layers stay firm and creamy, and the flavor is extra refreshing when chilled.
Top with extra coconut: Add a little more toasted coconut on each slice right before serving for a nice crunchy finish.
Dress them up with fruit: Add a few fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries on top if you’re serving them for a party or holiday spread.
Cut into smaller bites: For a potluck or dessert table, cut the bars into bite-sized squares so they’re easy to grab and serve.
Pair with Iced coffee: The creamy coconut flavor goes really well with coffee. You could try my Tres Leches Iced latte.

Storage and Freezing

How should I store Coconut Cream Bars?

Keep the bars covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store them in the pan with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. The crust stays firm and the layers hold up well.

Can I freeze Coconut Cream Bars?

You can freeze the bars if needed. Slice them first, then place on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers.

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Coconut cream bar on a small plate with more bars in the background, surrounded by coconut shells, graham crackers, and toasted coconut.

Tips & Tricks

Crush the graham crackers finely: The finer the crumbs, the better the crust holds together. A food processor works best, but a zip-top bag and rolling pin will do the trick.
Press the crust down firmly: Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to press the crust into the pan. This helps it stay compact and gives you cleaner slices later.
Use cold milk for the pudding: Make sure your milk is straight from the fridge. Warmer milk can keep the pudding from setting up as thick as you want it.
Toast the coconut ahead of time: You can toast the coconut a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container. Let it cool completely before adding it to the bars.
Chill long enough: Don’t rush the chilling time. Giving the bars at least 4 hours in the fridge helps everything set properly and makes slicing much easier.

More No-Bake Desserts

FAQ

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, just whip about 1 cup of heavy cream with a tablespoon of powdered sugar until soft peaks form. It won’t be quite as stable as Cool Whip, but it still works great.
Can I make these bars a day ahead?
Absolutely. These are perfect for making ahead and actually slice better the next day after chilling overnight.
What kind of coconut should I use?
Shredded sweetened coconut works best here, but you can use unsweetened if you want a less sweet dessert. Just be sure to toast it for the topping either way.
Can I use coconut milk instead of regular milk in the pudding?
It’s not recommended for instant pudding. Most coconut milks don’t have enough protein or structure to set the pudding properly.
Do I need to grease the pan?
Nope! The butter in the crust keeps it from sticking, especially once it’s chilled.
How do I toast the coconut?
Place it in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until golden brown. It toasts fast, so keep an eye on it.
Can I freeze the whole pan?
It’s better to slice them first, freeze individually, and then store in a container. That way, they thaw faster and keep their shape.
What’s the best way to cut clean slices?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Chilling the bars overnight also helps them slice neatly.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Just double everything and use a 9×13-inch pan instead of a 9×9. The chill time will be the same.
Will the crust hold up without baking?
Yes, as long as it’s pressed down firmly and chilled for at least 30 minutes before adding the filling, it’ll hold up just fine.