Lemon Coconut Gooey Butter Bars
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WARNING! THERE IS NOTHING HEALTHY ABOUT THESE BARS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
These Lemon Coconut Gooey Butter Bars will give you life!
By the time you read this post I will be on my way to Gattlinburg, Tennessee. Aside from me desperately needing a vacation, I am leaving because I know that some of you will want to hunt me down and scream my head off because of how good these bars look right now and you know you shouldn’t be eating these bars. Well, you are going to have to catch me when I come back…if you can.
By the time I come back from my vacation, let’s face it you would’ve eat an entire pan of these bars, gained 5 pounds, and started making another batch already. I know, I know they are stupid good. I wanted to make these bars because I have heard and seen the infamous Ooey Gooey Bars made by Paula Deen several times so I just had to make them myself. Well, they are ooey and definitely gooey. I understand why people love these bars. As I was making them I became conflicted with my emotions. I didn’t know whether to feel excited because I was making them or horrified because of the amounts of butter that went into the recipe. At first, I was horrified that I would immediately gain 5 pounds with one bite and have instant Diabetes, but when I tried one I was so happy and that horrified feeling went away quickly!
There are some things in life worth dying for and these Lemon Coconut Gooey Butter Bars are definitely worth the deep sleep!
SOOOOOOOO……
I wanted to give these bars a different twist, which is where the lemon and coconut came from. I think Paula would approve of these Lemon Coconut Gooey Butter Bars. But first I must tell Paula Deen how much I love this recipe despite the calories, fat, and sugar. She is a pure genius. Anyway, so I would continue typing but I have to get rest for my vacation starting tomorrow. I just wanted to share with these with you because I know that you will appreciate them and me for giving the recipe to you. See you when I get back.
* Recipe partially adapted from Paula Deen Gooey Butter Bars recipe
- CRUST
- 1 1lb. Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 egg
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- FILLING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. coconut extract
- ½ c. lemon juice (fresh)
- 2 c. powdered sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- TOPPING
- ½ c. sweetened coconut
- ½ c. brown sugar
- ½ c. sugar
- 4 tbsp. butter, melted
- ¾ c. flour
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees and spray a 9X13 rectangular pan with baking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, pour in the cake mix, add the egg, and the melted butter and stir together with a wooden spoon. Once well mixed, pat into the bottom of the 9X13 rectangular pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese until smooth and add in the eggs one at a time creaming into the cream cheese after adding into the bowl. Add the vanilla and coconut extract, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Pour the filling on top of the cake mix.
- For the topping: Mix in the brown and white sugar, sweetened coconut, and stir in the butter. Add the flour to the mix and stir. The topping will become very crumbly. Turn to wax or parchment paper and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes so the crumbs can dry out a bit. Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the filling ( I didn't use all the crumbs for my personal taste). Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center won't be as gooey. Allow to cool and cut into squares.
“Stupid good” is great in my book!!! love these lemon coconut bars. . yummm!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…The Best Toast You’ll Ever Have
I thought I was the only person who referred to something as “stupid good”! Love your “toast” post.
Nice twist! These look amazing!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) recently posted…Cookies and Cream Brownies
Thank you. I like the combo of flavors.
So tasty! That looks amazing.
Claudia recently posted…Jak dobrać dla siebie obuwie skórzane?
Thank you Claudia!
Oh boy, do these sound delicious! I love the idea of the lemon and coconut flavor for them! I’m definitely going to have to try this recipe!
Hey! These bars sound so good! Thank you for sharing them, but thank you even more for sharing what you did in your section about sex. I applaud you for caring enough to say and share what you did! It impressed me so I’m taking the time to let you know, and pray other readers will be affected by it. Bless you, Cate
Oh wow Cate! Thank you soooo much for those encouraging words. I don’t know how often people read those articles, which is why I started podcasting, but I hope I am making an influence as well. Keep coming back!
Hi! Your food photos are really beautiful! Is it a big deal to add them to the print of the recipe? Thanks!
Thank you very much!
Wow…I am glad I found this recipe online…I have been craving, great lemon coconut bars, since I moved
back to New York City, my hometown. I used to buy great ones, from Kroger bakery, in Roanoke, Va. I could
not find them in the Bronx Italian Bakery, near me…Although the Bakery is fantastic!!..Sopranos was filmed
on this block, Marios Italian Restaurant. I will be going to the store this weekend, to purchase the products.
Thanks for Paula Deens version, after looking at the rest…I chose this one….lol….
Great! That is so cool that you live in an area where one of the best shows was filmed. Let me know how they turned out.
Hi!this was amazing thank you so much for the recipe my friend and i made it and it came out wonderful.However, the bottom cake mix layer was slightly wetter than expected in our so if anyone else is having the same problem id suggest that they baked it in the oven for about 10 minutes before adding the filling and topping.
thank you so much for the recipe and we love your blog!
You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
Girl……….These are crazy good. going to be made again and again here! Gona be watching your page
Thank you!!!!!
Oh my god! Oh my god!!….my 2 favorite things….Lemon and Coconut!!!….i recently went to a Lemon Fest and couldn’t find ANYTHING that was lemony. Everything was yellow with a bit of lemon.
I just made these and tasted the edge and damn now I don’t want to share!!…..thank you, thank you, thank you.
You are welcome, welcome, welcome.
Can’t wait to make these recipes
Hi there,
I thought you would want to know that Paula Deen did not develop the Gooey Butter Cake recipe. It is a St. Louis, MO phenom. But I must say that you have now elevated it beyond my wildest imagination. When Paula adapted to a chocolate version, I had not interest. But lemon and coconut…amazing!!! Thank you for coming up with this version.
Thank you Pat! I didn’t know that fact about the cake. Thanks for educating.
OMG I made these today. Didnt have yellow cake mix so used a lemon mix which amplified the yummy lemon taste Very amazing recipe Thank you! Had been wanting to make the St. Louis gooey butter cake for years. This is an amazing bar recipe
This makes me happy! I am glad you enjoyed it Sharon.
Just wonderful. Can now make them with my eyes closed!!!!
Just made these and OMG they are amazing………
Thank you.
Great! You are very welcome and I am so glad they came out good for you.
Hi!
I’m a 2nd year British student who has embraced my freedom by learning how to bake!! I bake almost all the time now but I still have so much to learn and come across so many things that I’ve never really heard of, And I was just wondering what you meant by yellow cake mix?
I can’t wait to make these! They sound amazing!!
Thank you!
If you go to the bake goods isle at the grocery store you will see several boxes of cake mix. Cake mix is a mix already compiled with the ingredients necessary to make a cake.
I know this is a dumb question but do you make the cake mix based on the instructions on the box first then add the egg and butter? Or just use the flour cake mix fen the box and add eggs and butter?
Hello Kaily,
You make the mix with the melted butter and egg as mentioned in the instructions.
Delicious looking
Just made these yesterday and they are soooo good!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Yippy! This makes me happy!
Found your recipe in early April for a friend at works birthday, I’ve made it 3 times since then and I’m getting ready to make it again today. Something went crazy with he internet and I thought’s I’d lost it but it was back this morning. Great recipe and oh so tasty!
Great Mari! I am glad you like it!
I just found this on Pinterest. It looks so yummy! Lemon and coconut are two of my favorite things.I wanted to know if you think it would work if I just put coconut in the filling instead of extract? I want to make this for my 60th b-day in a couple of weeks.
I am not sure how that will turn out Sally but I encourage you to give it a shot. Let me know if works out well for you!
can you make this with a homemade butter cake recipe or is the packet cake when mixed dryer that a normal cake.
I don’t see why not but I am not completely sure. Let me know how it turns out.
Served this at our hiking/ski club lake social. They were grabbed up, especially by the guys. They really are delicious. I have made lots of other gooey cakes, but this is one of my favorites.
Thank you Linda! I am so happy you guys loved them!
Hi Nicole,
Very nice site and awesome recipes, so much fun and enjoy all your blogs. I had this one box of lemon cake mix and just needed to use it unlike you I love love love lemon and found this, I am glad I did as I found you. Will be making them tomorrow. I love your title but I think you should leave out “look”. My guess is that you make everything sexy lol. Best of luck, it seems you are doing quite well here.
Thank you so much Christine! I will consider your suggestion!
I didn’t read ALL the comments, so I apologize if my question has already been answered. I was wondering what size eggs to use for this recipe. I don’t use cake mix. I don’t even know how to. I’d like to put together my own dry ingredients, then add the other stuff. Also, I’ll be tweaking the recipe a little by using coconut cream concentrate. I’ll be mixing it with the melted butter first, as it will seize up if it gets in with ingredients that are too cool. I might even try putting in less white sugar, and adding some cream of coconut. I think I’ll try the recipe your way first just to see how it’s supposed to be, then I’ll mess around with it. I love gooey desserts and this one’s got some uber lemon/coconut gooey-ness going on.
I used large eggs and I would love if you would share with me your final recipe! It sounds awesome. Good Luck!
I want to add this recipe to my Christmas cookies box, do these freeze well? I really like your blog, I love baking and am a brown sugar girl myself…Thanks
You know what Diana, I am not sure. I would imagine they would freeze well but I can’t say that for certain. Let me know how it goes.
i want to make but don’t have any coconut extract what can I use in its place or can I just leave it out?
You can leave out the coconut. I am not sure what you can use that will give it the coconut flavor. Let me know how it comes out!
This recipe looks insanely delicious and I have grandchildren I know will just love these. Thanks so much for the recipe and thank you for making it easy to print your recipes. No copying and pasting to word. Saw the crecipe on Pinterest and had to check it out. Cant wait to try it.
These are so amazing. The family looks forward to me bringing these for Christmas dessert. We also have them throughout the year just for hubby and me.
I suggest making the topping first so when the dish is all done and ready for the heated oven you don’t have to wait 10- 15 minutes more.
I am so glad to hear this Jennifer!
I can tell just by looking at these that they taste amazing! Must try!
Thank you Eden!
Wow…caught my eye..and palate curiosity.
Will definitely try this recipe and share with my Co workers.
Thanks for sharing..hope you had a great time in Tn.
Thank you Desiree!
Wondered if you could use a gluten free cake mix and different flour if it would still turn out
I am not sure Maureen, but please come back and let me know how it turns out.
What is the filling the recipe refers to?
Have the “filling” section labeled. It starts with the cream cheese. Let me know if you have any additional questions!
I made these bars for a lemon cook-off we had in the pharmacy at work. These bars took first place, and everyone was astonished by how refreshing and delicious they were. I didn’t use as much of the crumb topping, and I baked the cake crust for ~5 minutes before applying filling and crumb topping. I also didn’t use the coconut extract. Will be making these again!
I immediately smiled when I read your comment Morgan! I am so happy that these won a contest for you. Please feel free to refer your co-workers to my blog for more delicious recipes! Congratulations!
Can you freeze these bats
I will try these, but was wondering if you have made this, using graham cracker crust also. Both sound yummy to me.
Lorraine,
I’m sure either would be fine!
I made these a couple of days ago. Myself and 4 other people that tried them said that they were very good however, a bit too sweet. Next time I make these I will cut back on the amount of sugar. I also doubled the amount of coconut. These are Lemon Coconut Bars after all.
That’s right Rick!
Interesting these start with a cake mix. We do enjoy lemon and coconut and bars would be wonderful.
Thank you Candy!
Yum! That looks amazing! Absolutely saving this so I can try and make some; hopefully soon!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Omg these look amazing! Definitely gonna give them a try!
These really look gooey! I could use one right now!
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
Thank you Nicole!
Ooey gooey make the best desserts!
This is one of my favs!
These look amazing and I will definitely make these. My co-workers are my Gina pigs…and so far I have not disappointed them.
My question to you is, you have 1 lb cake is that 1 box?
Thank you
Yes ma’am!
I love your idea of combining lemon and coconut in this bar recipe. It looks awesome.
Thank you Gunjan!
These bars look so good – all my favorite things in them!
Oh my god I know what I’m making this week. This looks amazing
Thank you Meghan!
I love anything lemon and am always on the lookout for new recipes. I have made these a few times now and they are simply AMAZING!!! The first couple of time, my nephew was visiting us. I think he might of eaten the entire pan. 🙂
Awww! I am so glad to hear that Lorena!
I’m loving the combinations of these bars Nicole! Lemon and coconuts are my favorites! I could use a few bars right now!! 🙂
Thank you Amy!
This should have a “#FoodPorn warning! looks amazing – can’t wait to try out the recipe!
Thanks Mia!
These look amazing! I love lemon and coconut and can’t wait to try these.
Oh my god these look amazing! I’m defo tryinf these very soon!
YUM! These look like the perfect summer treat. I love lemon bars, but it gets even better with coconut.
Oh my…they look so good. I have to try this recipe.
xo,
Janise
This sounds so yummy! Baking is definitely not my super talent, but I just might have to give these a go!
I love lemon desserts and coconut desserts, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a lemon and coconut dessert. I’m going to have to give this recipe, and all your other recipes, a try.
I forgot how good they were.
I’m not sure if anyone else has asked this, but is it possible to leave out the lemon? My children are not to keen on lemons. I do know that the rest of the ingredients are right up the alley of what they like. But is there a way or do you think it would work? Better yet, can the lemon be tasted?
I believe you could or maybe add a different type of juice? Maybe orange juice!!!!
Oh, no! I am in trouble now! This dessert looks so DELICIOUS!!! I am in heaven! Do you deliver?
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
I wish Debbie!
Lemon Bars are one of my absolute favorite dishes. I wouldn’t have thought of adding coconut to the dish though. I will definitely have to be trying this out in the near future.
David Elliott recently posted…Diving Off The Deep End: Ten Great Ways To Relax
Thank you David!
These lemon coconut gooey butter bars look appealing indeed, however, I’ve just eaten some cherries a slice of watermelon, so I don’t really want to spoil my vegetables and fruits diet right now. Maybe tomorrow when I’ll be hungry? :))
Thanks for the recipe, I’ll be coming back to it when I’m ready to try something sweet.
Thank you Perla!
I love the taste of coconut. This Coconut Gooey Butter Bars dessert looks super tasty!
OMG these look so good!!! I think it’s awesome that you added lemon and coconut to the mix, the flavor is amazing for sure! I’d love to have this with my favorite cup of tea during the afternoon! But I’d probably sneak in more afterwards. LOL.
Thank you Carol!
I’m not a cook! But this is making to want to go the grocery, buy the ingredients and come home to make this! YUMMM
I live in South Africa.
What else can i use instead of yellow cake mix.
How much is a stick of butter.
Would love to make these.
Many thanks
Anni.
Hello Anni, I am not sure what esle you can use as a substitute in this case. A stick of butter is 8 tablespoons.
No problem, Anni. You could use your favorite flavor of cookies. I suggest vanilla wafers, ginger cookies, shortbread cookies, even chocolate cookies. Crush them to the consistency that pleases you. I personally don’t like to crush them down to powder. I like to leave small cookie bits for a little crunch, but that’s up to you.
One stick of butter is half a cup, or 113.4 grams, or 4 ounce.
I hope this helps.
Thank you Fabunmi! I will have to remember this response!
Wow these are Super tasty! I LOVE the lemon tanginess. Someone asked if there was APPLE in it? They couldn’t figure out there was coconut! Crazy blend of fabulous flavors. I might just make this be one of my go to Pot luck desserts. I don’t like chocolate – gives me migraines and there is always need for decadent desserts without chocolate. Thank you.
Thank you Kati!