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Home › Recipes
15 Comments

Coconut Lime Bars

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jun 11, 2024

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This post may contain affiliate links.

Creamy Toasted Coconut Lime Bars are like little key lime pies as a fun dessert bar! Tart and tangy lime, sweet shredded coconut and a buttery shortbread crust with macadamia nuts and lime zest make this tropical delight the perfect treat for summer cookouts, bridal and baby showers and your favorite holidays.

Creamy toasted coconut lime bars are a tropical treat similar to a key lime pie!


Let’s celebrate with the cool, creamy taste of the tropics! These coconut lime bars are so tart and refreshing, they’re like little vacation bites every time you serve them!

RELATED RECIPE: Classic Lemon Squares with Basil

Sweetened condensed milk makes the lime coconut filling easy to make and completely irresistible all at the same time! All that citrusy tartness is perfectly balanced by the easy shortbread crust which has a bit of tropical flair on its own with addition of crushed macadamia nuts and lime zest.

coconut lime bars are the tropical twist on classic lemon bars or lemon squares.

Are Coconut Lime Bars Gooey?

Yes and no. And you’re going to love it! The texture of these dessert bars is kind of like a silky key lime or coconut pie. The filling is firm enough to cut into squares and eat like a brownie, yet creamy enough to be absolutely indulgent!

ingredients for coconut lime bars include freshly squeezed lime juice, coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, sweetened condensed milk and an easy shortbread crust.

Coconut Lime Bar Ingredients

  • lime juice and zest
  • sweetened flake coconut
  • salted macadamia nuts
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • butter
  • light brown sugar
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • flour
You can make coconut lime dessert bars in 3 easy steps.

How to Make the Best Coconut Lime Bars

Easy Shortbread Crust. Simply pulse flour, macadamia nuts, brown sugar and lime zest until nuts are coarsely ground. Add butter and pulse again until mixture is like wet sand. Press into bottom of 9×9 pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and set like a soft cookie.

Coconut Lime Filling. While the crust is baking, whisk together all the filling ingredients, except ½ cup coconut and ½ the lime zest. Toast the ½ cup of coconut and combine with zest for topping.

Bake & Cool. Pour filling over warm crust. Sprinkle topping on. Bake again for 15-20 minutes. Then cool completely before slicing and serving. Garnish with extra lime slices, if you like!

coconut lime bars pro tip- use parchment paper to lift dessert out pan to slice and serve.
refreshing coconut lime citrus bars cut cleanly when cool and completely set.

Tips for the Best Coconut Lime Bars

Why did my lime bars not set up? If the crust is not thoroughly done, the bars will not set properly. Additionally, if the bars are not completely cooled, the filling will not fully set. Chilling the coconut lime bars for at least an hour before serving is always a good idea!

How do I cleanly cut lime bars? To easily cut coconut lime bars into neat squares, make sure the filling has had a chance to firmly set up. Using a long, clean knife, begin your slice by starting at the tip of the knife and slowing pressing down to the handle in a single rocking motion. Do not drag the knife. If a second cut needs to be made pick up the knife and start the motion again. Clean the knife with warm water and wipe dry between each slice.

Can I use bottled lime juice? In a pinch, yes. But freshly squeezed lime juice has more intense flavor and will make better tasting bars.

topped with toasted coconut, these coconut lime bars are an easy dessert for cookouts, showers, even holidays.

How to Store and Freeze Lime Bars

Store covered Coconut Lime Bars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To stack bars in a plastic container for storage, simply place parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together. A layer of parchment paper can even be placed across the top layer to keep the container lid or plastic wrap from sticking to your dessert bars.

Use the same method to stack and freeze the bars. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

These coconut lime bars have crushed macadamia nuts and lime zest in their shortbread crust.

Other Dessert Bar Recipes You’ll Love

  • Hello Dolly Magic Cookie Bars
  • Lemon Basil Squares
  • Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars
  • No Bake S’mores Bars

More Refreshing Citrus Desserts

  • Classic Lemon Drop Crinkle Cookies
  • Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake
  • Dreamy Coconut Pineapple Trifle
  • Lemon Supreme Monkey Bread
refreshing coconut lime citrus bars cut cleanly when cool and completely set.

Toasted Coconut Lime Bars

Creamy Toasted Coconut Lime Bars are like little key lime pies as a fun dessert bar! Tart and tangy lime, sweet shredded coconut and a buttery shortbread crust with macadamia nuts and lime zest make this tropical delight the perfect treat.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookout, holiday, party, shower
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Equipment

  • parchment paper
  • food processor

Ingredients

Easy Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup salted macadamia nuts, heaping
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest (about 1 lime)
  • 1.5 sticks butter, sliced into tablespoon-sized pats

Toasted Coconut Lime Filling

  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3-4 small limes- see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2.5 cups sweetened flaked coconut (divided into 2 cups & ½ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a food processor, pulse flour, macadamia nuts, brown sugar and lime zest until nuts are coarsely ground. Add butter and pulse again until mixture is like wet sand. Press mixture evenly into bottom of lined 9×9 pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and set like a soft cookie.
  • While crust is baking, in a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk, lime juice, vanilla extract. Whisk in beaten eggs, then fold in 2 cups flaked coconut and ½ of the lime zest. Set aside. Toast the remaining ½ cup coconut.
  • Pour coconut lime filling over warm crust. Top with toasted coconut and remaining lime zest. Gently press into filling. Bake again for another 15-20 minutes or until filling is set. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Filling will continue to set as the dessert cools.
  • Slice into squares and serve.
refreshing coconut lime citrus bars cut cleanly when cool and completely set.
Did you make my Toasted Coconut Lime Bars?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Creamy Toasted Coconut Lime Bars are like little key lime pies as a fun dessert bar!  Tart and tangy lime, sweet shredded coconut and a buttery shortbread crust with macadamia nuts and lime zest make this tropical delight the perfect treat for summer cookouts, bridal and baby showers and your favorite holidays.

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Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes Tagged With: summer treats

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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  1. Avatar photoCatherine Anderson

    March 29, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is easy and fabulous! I didn’t have macadamia nuts on hand so substituted with pecans. Out of this world!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 31, 2023 at 10:44 am

      Hi, Catherine! Thank you so much! I think these bars are absolutely heavenly, so I am beyond tickled you love these bars like I do. I am so glad you made them!

      Reply
  2. Avatar photoKay

    June 30, 2023 at 6:17 am

    I love lime and coconut and am so anxious to make these…..however, I don’t have a food processor. Any suggestions or should I find another recipe?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      July 3, 2023 at 9:34 am

      Hi, Kay! If you have a way to crush the nuts as finely as you can get them to make the crust, I would say go for it! A zip top bag and a meat tenderizer or a blender? These are great; I know you would love them!

      Reply
  3. Avatar photoMickey

    June 18, 2024 at 8:52 am

    Hi Stacey, if i were to swap the flour for GF flour would you suggest a 1 to 1 swap?

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      June 18, 2024 at 11:36 am

      Hi, Mickey! I haven’t made these with GF flour, but yes, I think it would be a 1 to 1 swap. It might need a little xantham to help with binding, but we’re in trial and error territory here. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoLaura

    July 27, 2024 at 1:09 pm

    Anyone double this? What size pan for a double batch? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      July 30, 2024 at 12:32 pm

      Hi, Laura!

      You would need an 11×15 baking dish to double this recipe! To calculate this, you take the area of the larger pan (11X15=165) and divide it by the area of the smaller pan (9×9=81). If the answer is close to 2, then you know you can safely use that pan to double the recipe. (165/81=2.04) The closer to 2, the better results you’ll have. For example, the same calculations done for a 9×9 pan to 9×13 pan yield 1.44, letting us know that pan would be too small. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Avatar photoLaura

        August 17, 2024 at 1:33 pm

        Thank you! That was very helpful. I doubled the recipe and they came out great! Everyone loved them. Thanks again 😊

        Reply
  5. Avatar photoJessica Parker

    January 16, 2025 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    These bars are delicious, definitely a keeper. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      March 25, 2025 at 5:33 pm

      Hi, Jessica! You are very welcome! I am just tickled that you loved this recipe!

      Reply
  6. Avatar photoAlana

    April 15, 2025 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    Just made these. Haven’t tried them yet but my house smells amazing!!!!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      April 16, 2025 at 12:08 am

      Hi, Alana! Yay! I’m so excited! I know you’re going to love them.

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoJean

    April 16, 2025 at 12:29 pm

    hi, do they have to be refrigerated?

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      April 16, 2025 at 7:13 pm

      Hi, Jean! Please refer to the section of the blog post labeled “How to Store and Freeze Lime Bars.” Enjoy!

      Reply

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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