Tropical Chill Coconut Lime Bars Recipe
These Tropical Chill Coconut Lime Bars offer a refreshing blend of creamy coconut and zesty lime atop a crunchy graham cracker and coconut crust. Perfect for a cool, tropical dessert, they are easy to prepare with no baking required for the filling, and set beautifully in the freezer for a luscious chilled treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- Zest of 2 limes
- Juice of 2 limes
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Lime slices and toasted coconut for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and shredded coconut. Pour in melted butter and mix until well combined and crumbly. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking dish to form an even layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool completely.
- Make the Coconut Lime Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, lime zest, lime juice, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the whipped cream into the coconut lime mixture until fully integrated and smooth, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the coconut lime filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth top layer.
- Freeze: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until the filling is fully set and firm.
- Serve: Remove the bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier slicing. Cut into squares.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish each bar with lime slices and toasted coconut if desired. Serve chilled for a refreshing tropical dessert.
Notes
- The bars should be stored frozen and served chilled for the best texture and flavor.
- Allow bars to soften slightly before slicing to prevent cracking.
- Use freshly zested and juiced limes for the best citrus flavor.
- To toast shredded coconut, place it in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden brown.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute the heavy whipping cream with coconut cream and use a vegan butter alternative for the crust.
Keywords: coconut lime bars, tropical dessert, no bake filling, graham cracker crust, frozen dessert, summer treats
