If you love rich, chewy, and delightfully chocolate-covered treats, then you are absolutely going to adore this 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe. This simple yet indulgent recipe transforms just three pantry staples into luscious bars that melt in your mouth with every bite. With the perfect balance of sweetened condensed milk and shredded coconut nestled under a smooth dark chocolate coating, these bars channel the nostalgia of a classic candy without the fuss. Whether you’re whipping up a quick dessert or surprising friends with homemade goodies, this recipe is pure joy wrapped in chocolate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe proves that sometimes, less is truly more. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating texture, flavor, and that irresistible appeal.
- 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut: Provides natural chewiness and coconut flavor without added sweetness, balancing the condensed milk.
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk: Acts as the perfect binder and adds rich sweetness and creaminess to the coconut filling.
- 15 oz dark chocolate (or semi-sweet): Gives the bars a smooth, bittersweet coating that contrasts beautifully with the sweet coconut center.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Coconut and Condensed Milk
Start by combining the unsweetened shredded coconut with the sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl. Stir these together until every bit of coconut is fully coated in that creamy sweetness. This mixture is the heart of your bars, making sure they’re moist but firm enough to shape.
Step 2: Shape Your Coconut Logs
Once your mixture is well combined, form it into 12 small, log-shaped bars. Using your hands works best for getting a compact shape that will hold up nicely during coating. Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet so they won’t stick and are easy to chill.
Step 3: Chill Until Firm
Pop your coconut logs into the fridge for about 20 minutes. This step is key because it helps the logs set and makes dipping them into chocolate much easier, preventing them from falling apart.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate
Take 10 ounces of your dark chocolate and microwave it in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each interval. This method ensures a silky, lump-free melt. Once melted, stir in the remaining 5 ounces to help cool the chocolate slightly and improve the texture for coating.
Step 5: Dip and Coat the Coconut Logs
Using forks, dip each chilled coconut log into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Allow any extra chocolate to drip off before placing the bars back on the parchment. This coating is what makes these bars so delectably decadent.
Step 6: Chill Again Until Chocolate Sets
Finally, return the chocolate-covered bars to the fridge and chill them until the chocolate hardens completely. This usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and once set, you’ll have perfectly crisp, glossy bars ready to enjoy.
How to Serve 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to dress up your 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate just before chilling. The salt enhances the chocolate’s richness and cuts through the sweetness, creating a gourmet touch.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with cups of hot coffee or tea, making them a delightful afternoon pick-me-up. You can also serve them alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a light, refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try placing the bars in mini cupcake liners or arranging them on a decorative platter with tropical leaves to emphasize the coconut theme. You can even drizzle a little white chocolate over the tops for a pretty, professional-looking finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your leftover bars will stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keeping them chilled preserves the chocolate’s crispness and prevents the coconut filling from becoming too soft.
Freezing
If you want to make these bars in advance or simply save some for later, you can freeze them. Place the bars in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to 2 months.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer, let the frozen bars thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as this can melt the chocolate coating and change the texture.
FAQs
Can I use sweetened shredded coconut instead of unsweetened?
Yes, you can use sweetened shredded coconut if that’s what you have on hand, but since the condensed milk is already very sweet, you might find the bars a bit sweeter than intended. Unsweetened coconut keeps the flavor balanced and natural.
What if I don’t have dark chocolate? Can I use milk chocolate?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate will give you a sweeter, creamier coating that pairs nicely with the coconut filling. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will be less intense than with dark chocolate.
Is it necessary to use sweetened condensed milk?
Yes, sweetened condensed milk is essential because it acts as both the sweetener and binder. Regular milk or evaporated milk won’t provide the same creamy texture or sweetness needed to hold the coconut together.
Can these bars be made vegan?
While this recipe relies on sweetened condensed milk and chocolate traditionally containing dairy, you can experiment with vegan sweetened condensed milk alternatives and dairy-free chocolate to create a vegan version, though the texture and flavor might differ slightly.
Do the bars need to be refrigerated before serving?
It’s best to chill the bars before serving so the chocolate coating hardens and the bars hold their shape. Serving them too warm may result in melty chocolate and softer bars.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about how just three simple ingredients can come together to create such a delicious treat, and that’s the charm of the 3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe. It’s easy enough for a quick kitchen project but impressive enough to share with friends and family. Once you make these, they’ll become one of your go-to homemade sweets — trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
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3-Ingredient Coconut Mounds Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These 3-Ingredient Mounds Bars are a quick and delicious homemade treat featuring shredded coconut coated in sweetened condensed milk, then dipped in rich dark chocolate. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with simple ingredients and minimal prep time. No baking required, making it an easy and fun recipe for coconut and chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
Bar Base
- 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
Chocolate Coating
- 15 oz dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate (divided into 10 oz and 5 oz portions)
Instructions
- Mix Coconut and Condensed Milk: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded coconut and the sweetened condensed milk thoroughly until the coconut is fully coated and sticky.
- Form Logs: Shape the mixture into 12 small, evenly sized logs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Chill the Logs: Refrigerate the coconut logs for about 20 minutes until they firm up and hold their shape well.
- Melt Chocolate: Microwave 10 oz of the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval to ensure smooth melting. Then, stir in the remaining 5 oz of chocolate until completely melted and smooth.
- Coat Bars in Chocolate: Using forks, dip and thoroughly coat each coconut log with the melted chocolate, letting any excess chocolate drip off before placing them back on the parchment paper.
- Set Chocolate Coating: Chill the dipped bars in the refrigerator until the chocolate coating hardens, about 15-30 minutes, before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate if you prefer a sweeter coating.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- For a firmer texture, chill the bars longer before dipping in chocolate.
- Store the finished bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- To vary the flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the coconut mixture before forming logs.
