Warm Toasted Caramel Coconut Bars (Printer-Friendly)

Buttery crust layered with toasted coconut, caramel sauce, and chocolate chips, baked to golden perfection.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
02 - 0.5 cups brown sugar
03 - 0.25 teaspoons salt
04 - 3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
05 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1 teaspoon water

→ Caramel Layer

07 - 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
08 - 4 tablespoons salted butter
09 - 0.33 cups maple syrup

→ Toppings

10 - 1.5 cups roughly chopped walnuts or pecans
11 - 1.5 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12 - 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl or stand mixer, blend the softened butter, brown sugar, salt, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until smooth. Press evenly into the prepared baking dish.
03 - Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - In a medium saucepan, toast the salted butter over medium heat for about 3 minutes until lightly browned. Add sweetened condensed milk and maple syrup, stirring frequently, and cook until the mixture thickens.
05 - Spread semi-sweet chocolate chips over the baked crust. Sprinkle chopped nuts and 1 cup of shredded coconut evenly over the chocolate layer. Pour the caramel mixture on top and finish with the remaining shredded coconut.
06 - Bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before slicing into bars.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Optional: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for enhanced indulgence.