Coconut Lemon Bars Recipe: Zesty Citrus Square Dessert

We made these coconut lemon bars as a thank-you for friends who babysat while my husband and I attended a preschool parent night. The chewy, coconut-packed crust paired with a bright, tart lemon topping was an instant hit with my kids and their sitters. If you enjoy the contrast of sweet coconut and zesty lemon, this version of lemon bars is worth trying.

Coconut Lemon Bars

Crust:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ tsp vanilla

Filling:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 2 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Sweetened shredded coconut for garnish

How to Make Coconut Lemon Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch baking pan with coconut oil spray or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.

Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces, shredded coconut, and vanilla. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly and holds together when pressed.

Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a compact layer.

Bake the crust until it turns lightly golden, about 18–20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside while you prepare the filling.

Make the filling: Whisk together the eggs, sugar, flour, and salt until smooth. Stir in the lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice until well combined.

Pour the lemon mixture over the hot crust, spreading gently to cover the surface.

Bake the bars for 15–18 minutes, or until the filling is just set and slightly firm to the touch. Avoid overbaking so the filling remains tender.

Allow the pan to cool completely on a wire cooling rack. Chilling the bars briefly in the refrigerator after they reach room temperature will make slicing cleaner, but it’s optional.

Serve: Slice into squares and sprinkle the tops with additional shredded coconut. These bars are delicious served chilled or at room temperature.