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Close-up of a coconut cream bar showing graham cracker crust, thick coconut pudding, whipped topping, and golden toasted coconut.

No-Bake Coconut Cream Bars

No-bake coconut cream bars with a buttery crust, creamy coconut pudding, and toasted coconut on top. Easy and perfect for any occasion.
5 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 292 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Crust:

  • 12 graham crackers (crushed)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons shredded coconut
  • 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons , melted)

Custard:

  • 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
  • 1 cup cold milk
  • ½ teaspoon coconut extract

Topping:

  • 1 container Cool Whip (8 oz)
  • ⅓ cup shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, shredded coconut, and melted butter in a bowl until fully combined.
  • Press mixture firmly into a 9x9-inch baking dish. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
  • Whisk pudding mix, milk, and coconut extract until thick, about 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes to firm up.
  • Spread pudding mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
  • Top with Cool Whip, spreading it evenly.
  • Toast shredded coconut in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring until golden. Let cool, then sprinkle over the top.
  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 314mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 384IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Coconut, No Bake, Party Food, Summer
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