Magic German Chocolate Cake Bars aka Butter Bar

This dessert is kind of like a magic bar, kind of like German Chocolate cake and kinda has a lot of butter in it. My dear friend and I dubbed it “butter bar” after making it so much in high school and the name is pretty telling of the fatty goodness that’s in store. 

This is a recipe that I put together after watching Food Network one morning in high school. Sunny Anderson was making “candy bars” out of stuff she had in her pantry that looked delicious, so when I wanted to make one myself I had to make do with the things I found in my grandparent’s cupboard. 

Some pantry staples most bakers have on hand include most of the ingredients you need for this and you can also add nuts or m&m’s or other mix Ins depending on your tastes. 

Also, I usually eyeball the ingredients, but I  did my best to measure it out for you all today. You can use more coconut if you want a thicker topping or more condensed milk if you want it runnier and more gooey. 

Ingredients for the bars: 

– Sweetened Shredded Coconut … 1 package
– All Purpose Flour … 2 cups 

– Salted Butter … 2 sticks

– Sweetened Condensed Milk … 1-2 cans

– Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip … 1 bag

– Milk Chocolate Chips … 1 bag

– Brown Sugar … 2 cups 

– Eggs … 1
To make the crust: 

1. Preheat oven to 350’F 

2. Add two cups of flour to a large mixing bowl. 

3. Add 1 cup brown sugar to the flour and mix to start. 

4. Add more sugar if it isn’t a golden color like in the below picture. 

5. Melt one stick of butter in a microwave safe bowl. 

6. Add 1/2 the packet of Semi Sweet chocolate chips to the melted butter and stir until all melted together. 

7. Add chocolate and butter mixture to the flour and sugar mixture. 

8. Beat one egg in the bowl used to melt the chocolate. (Always crack your eggs into a separate container) 

9. Combine everything together using a spoon and then your hands. 

10. Greece a large baking pan with butter and press the dough evenly into the pan. 

11. Bake for about 12 minutes. 

12. Remove from oven and poke with a fork to make little homes all over the crust. 

13. Sprinkle milk chocolate chips over the crust while it is still hot. 

14. Spread the melted chips around to coat the crust. 

For the topping: 

1. Melt one stick of butter in a saucepan. 

2. Add 1/2 cup of brown sugar. 

3. Stir over medium heat until bubbles form.

4. Add one can of condensed milk and stir together. 

5. Add one package of shredded coconut and combine thoroughly. 

6. Remove from heat and set aside. 

To assemble: 

1. Pour coconut mixture over the crust. 

2. Add chocolate chips on top. 

3. If desired, use a knife to swirl the melting chocolate chips into the coconut mixture as seen below. You can also leave it just sprinkled on top or make a design.

4. Here is where you could top with chopped nuts or sprinkles or other small candies. 

Store at room temperature for a softer gooey bar or in the fridge for a cold and chewy treat. 

Enjoy!