Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

Tropical Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe: A Taste of Paradise

Sweet and tropical hawaiian pineapple bars transport you to a sunny island paradise with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Whispers of coconut and caramelized fruit dance through this delightful dessert.

Layers of creamy richness meld seamlessly with tangy pineapple notes.

Bakers seeking a quick yet impressive treat will adore this simple recipe.

Tropical vibes shine through every delectable bite of these bars.

Each slice promises a mini vacation for your taste buds.

You cannot resist the temptation of these golden, luscious bars that capture pure summer essence.

What Makes Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe So Tasty

  • Savor Tropical Flavors: Dive into a delightful dessert that brings the vibrant taste of Hawaii right to your kitchen, blending sweet pineapple with rich chocolate and nutty walnuts.
  • Craft with Ease: This recipe requires minimal culinary skills, making it perfect for baking beginners who want to create a show-stopping treat without stress.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, these bars offer a crowd-favorite combination of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
  • No-Fuss Preparation: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can quickly assemble this dessert, spending less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious results.

Ingredients for Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

Base Ingredients:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crunchy and sweet foundation for the bars.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust layer.
  • Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients and creates a rich flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Gives a warm, aromatic touch to the crust.
Binding Ingredient:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a creamy, sticky layer that holds the toppings in place.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Flaked Coconut, Chocolate Chips, Chopped Walnuts: Offer a delightful mix of texture and flavor with sweet and nutty elements.

How to Prepare Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside, ready for your delicious creation.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Crust Foundation

Mix together in a medium bowl:
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Sugar
  • Melted butter
  • Ground cinnamon

Stir until everything looks perfectly combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom of your baking dish, creating a solid base for your bars.

Step 3: Add Creamy Layer

Pour sweetened condensed milk smoothly and evenly over the graham cracker crust, creating a rich and silky foundation.

Step 4: Sprinkle Delightful Toppings

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Flaked coconut
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped walnuts

Generously sprinkle this nutty, chocolatey mixture across the condensed milk layer, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top turns a beautiful light golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, slice into perfect squares and serve your tropical treasure.

Pro Tips for Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

  • Toast graham cracker crumbs briefly before mixing to enhance nutty flavor and add depth to the crust.
  • Use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned for a more vibrant, authentic Hawaiian taste and extra moisture.
  • Choose high-quality dark chocolate chips to balance the sweetness of condensed milk and create a richer flavor profile.
  • Experiment with different nuts like macadamia or pecans to give a tropical twist and add more crunch to the bars.
  • Let bars cool completely at room temperature to ensure clean, precise cuts and help layers set properly.

Flavor Variations for Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

  • Tropical Sunset Bars: Replace walnuts with macadamia nuts and add dried mango pieces for an extra tropical flavor profile.
  • Coconut Caramel Crunch: Drizzle caramel sauce over the bars after cooling and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes for added texture and richness.
  • Rum-Infused Paradise: Mix a tablespoon of rum into the sweetened condensed milk layer and garnish with rum-soaked raisins for an adult version of the classic recipe.
  • Spiced Island Remix: Add a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom to the graham cracker crust for a warm, aromatic touch that enhances the pineapple and coconut flavors.

Suggested Pairings for Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

  • Pair Tropical Rum Cocktail: Craft a light, refreshing cocktail with white rum, pineapple juice, and a splash of coconut cream to complement the bars' tropical flavors.
  • Serve Cold Vanilla Coconut Cream: Create a smooth, chilled vanilla coconut cream as a complementary side that echoes the dessert's creamy and nutty undertones.
  • Match Hawaiian Roasted Coffee: Brew a medium-roast Hawaiian coffee with hints of caramel and macadamia to balance the sweetness and enhance the dessert's rich layers.
  • Offer Passion Fruit Sorbet: Present a tangy, bright passion fruit sorbet as a palate-cleansing accompaniment that cuts through the bars' richness and adds a zesty tropical note.

Storage Guidelines for Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm individual bars for 10-15 seconds on medium power to restore softness. Check temperature to avoid overheating.
  • Let frozen or refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

FAQs on Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

  • Can I substitute graham crackers with another type of cookie?

Yes, you can use digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers as a crust alternative for this recipe.

  • How do I prevent the bars from being too sweet?

Reduce the amount of sugar in the graham cracker crust and use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate to balance the sweetness.

  • Are these bars suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, the recipe is vegetarian-friendly. Just ensure all ingredients like chocolate chips are vegetarian-certified.

  • Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Substitute graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour to create a gluten-free version of the Hawaiian Pineapple Bars.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe

Hawaiian Pineapple Bars Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Sweet Hawaiian Pineapple Bars bring tropical paradise straight to your dessert plate. Crumbly coconut crust and tangy pineapple filling create a delightful island-inspired treat you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk

Base Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) butter, melted

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C), ensuring an even temperature for baking.
  2. Create a crumbly base by thoroughly mixing graham cracker crumbs with sugar, melted butter, and ground cinnamon until fully incorporated.
  3. Firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, forming an even, compact layer.
  4. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk uniformly across the graham cracker crust, covering the entire surface.
  5. Craft a delectable topping by gently combining flaked coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts in a separate mixing bowl.
  6. Distribute the coconut-chocolate-walnut mixture evenly over the condensed milk layer, ensuring complete coverage.
  7. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown coloration on top.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before slicing into square portions.

Notes

  • Toast graham cracker crumbs beforehand to enhance the nutty flavor and create a more robust crust base.
  • Use unsalted butter for better control of the overall sweetness and prevent the bars from becoming too salty.
  • Drain canned pineapple thoroughly to avoid excess moisture that could make the crust soggy and compromise the bar’s texture.
  • Consider substituting walnuts with pecans or almonds for different flavor profiles and to accommodate nut allergies.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 267 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 42 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star