Description
This easy Starbucks lime frosted coconut bars copycat recipe delivers a delightful treat with a buttery, coconut-flavored base topped with a tangy lime frosting and a white chocolate drizzle. Perfectly balanced between sweet and zesty, these bars are ideal for any occasion and bring the refreshing flavors of Starbucks’ beloved coconut lime bars into your home kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Coconut Bars
- 1/2 cup butter (softened, salted or unsalted)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg (at room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp coconut extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (plus extra for topping)
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips (mini if possible)
For the Lime Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp lime extract
- lime green food coloring (or a mix of yellow and green food coloring)
For Decoration
- 2 tbsp white chocolate (for drizzling, melted)
- extra shredded coconut for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside to make cleanup easy and ensure the bars won’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will create a tender texture in your bars.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and coconut extract until everything is fully combined and evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold these dry ingredients gently into the wet ingredients until just combined and no flour streaks remain. Then fold in shredded coconut and white chocolate chips evenly.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the coconut bars to cool completely at room temperature before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.
- Prepare Lime Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, lime juice, and lime extract together until light and fluffy. Add a few drops of lime green food coloring (or a combination of yellow and green to achieve the perfect shade) and mix well.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the lime frosting evenly over the cooled coconut bars using a spatula or knife.
- Decorate: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosted bars using a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a small cut corner, or a spoon for thicker streaks. Sprinkle extra shredded coconut on top for added texture and flavor.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator until the frosting is set. Slice into squares and enjoy with a tall glass of milk or your favorite Starbucks coffee!
Notes
- You can use either salted or unsalted butter; if using salted butter, reduce additional salt slightly.
- If mini white chocolate chips are unavailable, chop regular white chocolate into smaller pieces.
- The lime extract intensifies the citrus flavor, but fresh lime zest can be added as an alternative.
- Adjust the food coloring to your preferred shade of lime green for a more authentic Starbucks look.
- Store finished bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk for the frosting.
