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A creamy coconut cheesecake bar on a plate with coffee.

Coconut Cheesecake Bars

These Coconut Cheesecake Bars are rich, creamy and packed with real coconut flavor. The coconut crust is to die for and packs in more coconut indulgence.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 18 Servings
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • 3 egg whites
  • 3 cups 12 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt

For the Cheesecake Bars

  • 24 ounces cream cheese full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (680 grams)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cups 100 grams granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or 4 tablespoons of flour)
  • ½ cup coconut cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1-½ cups shredded sweetened coconut

For the White Chocolate Ganache:

  • 8 ounces white chocolate finely chopped
  • cup white chocolate finely chopped
  • 1-½ cup toasted shredded coconut

Instructions

For the Coconut Crust:

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Line a 13 by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang at the long ends of the pan. Coat with vegetable oil spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy, then fold in the butter and salt. stir with a spatula until blended together.
  • Tip the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly and firmly against the bottom. Prick the surface of the crust with a dinner fork.   
  • Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 or 20 minutes until the edges are lightly toasted.
  • Transfer the baked crust to a wire rack and cool while preparing the filling.

For the Coconut Filling:

  • Place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute to break it up, then add the sour cream and beat on high speed until combined and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Mix the sugar and cornstarch together in a small dish and add to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes to combine well.  
  • Add the coconut cream and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes, stopping the motor and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl several times.  
  • Reduce the speed to low, add the eggs and beat only until the eggs are combined and no streaks of yolk are visible. 
  • Use a wide spatula to fold in the shredded coconut until well combined.
  • Pour the mixture over the cooled coconut crust, spreading evenly and smoothing the top.
  • Transfer to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the edges are set and the center is a little jiggly.  Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 1 hour then place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight to chill completely.

For the White Chocolate Ganache: 

  • In a double-boiler, add 2 inches of water to the bottom saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.  Set the upper portion of the pan over the lower portion, making sure that it does not touch the water. Add the cream and the chopped chocolate to the upper pan and allow to slowly melt together while stirring occasionally.
  • When the chocolate is almost completely melted, remove the pan from the heat and allow the chocolate to continue to melt. 
  • When the ganache has completely melted, pour it over the baked cheesecake, spreading smoothly.  
  • Sprinkle the toasted coconut over the ganache and allow to cool for 1 hour then place in the refrigerator to chill completely.  
  • When ready to cut into squares, slide a sharp knife between the cheesecake and pan. Using the parchment paper ends lift the entire cheesecake and place on a cutting board. Cut the cheesecake in squares and serve.

Notes

  • Mixing the sugar and cornstarch or flour together before adding to the cream cheese mixture will prevent lumps in the batter.
  • White chocolate must melt slowly over gentle heat, melts at 100°F to 109°F.  If it becomes too hot it will break.
  • To create a make-shift double boiler, set a pan or glass bowl over another pan that has about 2 inches of water. The upper pan/bowl should not touch the water in the lower pan.  

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g