Coconut Pistachio Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Thick, soft, & chewy Coconut Pistachio Bars topped with rich, fluffy cream cheese frosting! These Coconut Pistachio Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting are a cinch to whip up, make a big batch, and are universally loved!

I have another recipe on the blog that features coconut and pistachio, and I wanted everyone to love it because I loved it so much, but it never ‘took off’. It’s this Coconut Pistachio Bundt Cake recipe. I *adore* that bundt cake, and I want to keep making coconut + pistachio desserts because the pair together is a personal favorite!

Coconut and pistachio together are magical, and because I love the duo so much, I created these Coconut Pistachio Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting.

Admittedly, these Coconut Pistachio Bars would’ve been more fitting in the springtime – I made them around Easter – but in typical fashion, I’m simply late sharing them.

This isn’t the first time you’ve seen Pistachio Bars on my blog. I shared these Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars a few years ago, and those are quite popular. I love how simple they are to throw together, and they make a big batch. Those bars are super soft and chewy, and they are potent with pistachio flavor.

I get asked for that Pistachio Bars recipe all. the. time!

Have you ever made Pistachio Pudding Cookies?? They’re like pudding cookies in bar form. Really soft and chewy, a tiny bit cakey. Cream cheese frosting is a natural fit.

To me, another natural fit is coconut! I loaded up my Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars recipe with a hefty portion of shredded coconut in the batter, a coconut cream cheese frosting on top, and a garnish of toasted coconut.

Coconut and pistachio together blow me away, and they seem to bring out the best in each other, complementing and enhancing. Assuming that you like coconut and pistachio separately, I think you’ll like them even more together! Try these Coconut Pistachio Bars, and let me know what you think!

Coconut Pistachio Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Sarah

Thick, soft, & chewy Coconut Pistachio Bars topped with rich, fluffy cream cheese frosting! These Coconut Pistachio Bars with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting are a cinch to whip up, make a big batch, and are loved by all! 

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Prep Time 25 mins

Cook Time 14 mins

Total Time 39 mins

Course Bar cookie

Servings 24 bars

Ingredients

  

For pistachio bars:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 3.4 oz. boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup butter melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. coconut extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

For coconut frosting & topping:

• 4 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. coconut extract
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut

Instructions

 

For pistachio bars:

• In a large bowl, stir together flour, pudding mix, sugar, and baking powder.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and coconut extract.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
• Stir in 1/2 cup pistachios and 1 cup coconut.
• Press the dough into a lightly greased 13x9-inch pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For coconut frosting & topping:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and coconut extract until combined.
• Add 3 cups powdered sugar, and beat until frosting is thick and creamy, adding additional powdered sugar as needed.
• Spread frosting over the cooled bars.
• Sprinkle with pistachios and coconut.
• Cut into bars.