Homemade Coconut Bars: Easy Bounty-Inspired Treats

My ultimate goal right now is to eat completely clean—no additives, no chemicals, no processed foods. Just simple, wholesome ingredients turned into amazing, delicious meals. Nothing more, nothing less. However, with life as it is right now, this goal isn’t fully achievable. But I’m doing my best to move toward it and get as close as possible with the resources available to me.

For me, the starting point has been cutting out all the crazy chemicals and additives with names I can’t even pronounce and don’t understand the purpose of. This has led me to make most of my family’s food from scratch. Many of my friends have said they would love to do this as well, but it seems so intimidating and overwhelming that they don’t even know where to start or if they have the skills to make everything at home.

I’ve told them the same thing I’m telling you now: to find out, you need to start somewhere, and it’s okay not to know everything. You learn as you go, and if you don’t know something or have questions, you find someone who does and has the answers.

A number of times, I’ve been the person they come to for cooking and baking advice, and I’ve realized that I love helping people do what I love to do. It got me thinking—maybe there are more people out there who would love to start this journey but don’t have anyone to ask questions. Well, I’m here for you now, so feel free to ask me all your cooking and baking questions. I promise I don’t mind at all and would love to help.

I’ll also start sharing some recipes I’ve been using as substitutes for store-bought items. As an added bonus, these recipes tend to be very cost-effective. Since you typically make things in bulk at home, you can get the price down to a very reasonable level.

Now that you know a little about my journey, let's dive into the first recipe I’m sharing with you: a simple substitute for a Bounty bar.

Are you a coconut lover?

If so, you’re probably also a fan of Bounty bars. Those chewy coconut flakes and creamy goodness covered in delicious milk chocolate—who wouldn’t love that? (Except, of course, for those who don’t like coconut. But hey, to each their own. We all have our favorites and... not-so-favorites!)

Now, this isn’t one of those recipes that claims to make low-calorie, healthy muffins you can eat for breakfast—no, no, no. These homemade Bounty bars are still a treat and should be enjoyed as such. They’re not some “low-calorie, surprise superfood” that you can eat for dinner. Definitely not. But what they are is a clean, 4-ingredient homemade sweet treat that has no additives or weird ingredients that don’t belong in your body.

And the best part? These bars are customizable! If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, no worries—this recipe can easily be adapted to suit your needs. Just swap in dark chocolate for a vegan version, and use coconut condensed milk to make them lactose-free. Unlike store-bought Bounty bars, which are neither vegan nor lactose-free, these homemade treats are made with simple, wholesome ingredients.

Let's get to it!

I’ve calculated all the ingredients in cups as well, so everyone can make it at home. However, I do have to stress that your baking will be much easier, your results more consistent, and overall, better when you use a food scale instead. The measurements will always be precise and won’t vary. So, if there’s one kitchen gadget I swear by and absolutely recommend, it’s a food scale.

Instructions

1. Weigh or measure out the coconut and condensed milk into a bowl and mix them together until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency. It will be a little sticky, so using a spatula can help with mixing.

2. Form the mixture into bars of your preferred size (I made 16 mini bars) and place them in the fridge for an hour to firm up.

3. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil. You can melt them in the microwave or use a double boiler. Be cautious not to place the chocolate directly on a hot stove, as it’s quite temperamental and can easily burn or split.

Tips and tricks!

For beginner cooks and bakers: A double boiler is a method where you place your ingredient—in this case, chocolate—in a bowl and then set that bowl over a pot or saucepan filled with water. The steam from the simmering water gently melts the chocolate, without exposing it to direct heat. This type of heat is much softer, more evenly distributed, and less harsh than stove heat.

When using this method, the sugar and fat molecules in chocolate melt at a steady pace, breaking apart slowly and creating smooth, shiny, liquid chocolate. On the other hand, too much direct heat can cause the sugar to caramelize or burn, breaking the delicate balance of the chocolate's texture. This can result in grainy, thick chocolate, or even cause the cocoa solids and fat to separate, leading to a curdled or split appearance.

4. Once the chocolate has melted, dip the coconut bars into the chocolate. I placed the melted chocolate in a tall glass, dipped each bar one by one, and used a couple of forks to lift them out. Then, place the coated bars onto parchment paper.

5. After coating all the bars, if you have any leftover chocolate, drizzle it on top of the bars and sprinkle more coconut flakes on top for extra decoration.

6. Place the bars in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, and they’re ready to enjoy!

Tips and tricks!

If you want a little sourness or tartness in these, add about 15g or 1/2 cup of freeze-dried berries (raspberries or blackcurrants taste great). Of course, with this step, it’ll move further from the classic Bounty taste, but the fresh and light tart berry flavor pairs wonderfully with the richness and sweetness of the coconut bar.

I store these coconut bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (though they probably last longer, but in my house, 3 days tops and they’re gone!). I usually serve them straight from the fridge because I love the chocolate to stay crunchy, but they’re also perfectly fine to eat at room temperature.

These homemade Bounty bars are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with wholesome ingredients. Whether you stick with the classic flavor or add a fruity twist, you’ll enjoy a treat that’s simple, delicious, and free from unnecessary additives. Enjoy!