These lime topped bars are seriously addictive. They are sightly crumbly, chewy and tart, made with cashews and coconut, topped with a delicious and tangy lime cream cheese frosting.
They are the perfect healthy dessert or treat, so easy to make and don’t require any baking! They are practically fool-proof! Wow your guests with this simple, healthy dessert at your next party!
After reading online reviews for Starbucks Lime Frosted Coconut Bars, there seems to be one little problem, the frosting isn’t as delicious as people imagined it would be.
And because I really loved the concept of the bars, I imagined what it would be like if I made a homemade delicious version of them! So, you could say I ‘healthified’ the recipe.
According to Starbucks, the Lime Frosted Coconut Bars are a delightful combination of chewy coconut and oatmeal with mini white chocolate chips, topped with lime frosting made with cream cheese, drizzled with a white chocolate coating and sprinkled with coconut.
I feel like I got close to the texture of these bars, and close to the Starbucks version, but I am still going to say I think mine are better. Probably because more often than not homemade baked goods are better than mass produced ones. They just are.
But the biggest difference that really made my homemade bars stand out was the frosting on top. People point out the lime in the frosting of the store bars was artificial tasting, because I don’t think they use real lime juice in it. They probably use extract, and that’s what it tasted like. For my lime frosting, I used real cream cheese, real lime juice, and also lime zest.
What makes lime coconut bars healthy?
I removed all the blood sugar-spiking ingredients in the original Starbucks recipe to help you avoid that spike and crash and give you long-lasting energy. Put back instead are nutrient-dense, whole foods to lighten up these coconut lime bars without sacrificing any of that delightful classic flavor.
This healthy lime frosted coconut bar recipe is an easy healthy wholefood dessert or treat you can make ahead for the week that you can feel good about serving the whole family!
You will love the zesty homemade frosting that’s SO good and Instagram-worthy. Like if you need a healthy recipe for a pot luck, party or family gathering, these bars will be a show-stopper. It makes me excited that such a beautiful and delicious creation can be made purely from natural ingredients.
So, next time you are tempted to swing by a Starbucks and grab a sugary dessert or snack, go home and make these bars instead. They won’t make your tummy feel as bad (and definitely don’t mess with your blood sugar like the Starbucks ones do).
These delightful bars are very rich so a small serving goes a long way. This recipe is perfect for holidays, parties, or any time you are craving a little something sweet. This recipe is a favourite, loaded with zesty lime flavor! They will not last long once you make them!
Impossible not to love this recipe!
Healthy Starbucks Lime-Frosted Coconut Bars
Ingredients
Coconut Bar Base
- 2 cups cashews, soaked 3+ hours and drained
- 2 cups desiccated coconut
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 8 oz block full fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2-3 limes, juice and zest – depending on how lime-y you prefer
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Few drops of green food colouring or make your own - cook tender, greens (such as spinach) in a tiny bit of water for about a minute then drain. A few drops of that juice will give you a concentrated green colour.
Chocolate Drizzle - Optional
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Topping
- Grated lime zest
Instructions
Coconut Bar Base
- Make the crust first. Line a 8 x 8-inch baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Place cashews and coconut into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add hardened coconut cream, coconut oil, honey and vanilla and continue to process until mixture is well combined and sticky. It should stick together when pressed between your fingers.Depending on the power of your blender this might take a few minutes. Stop blending to scrape the sides if necessary and continue to blend until very smooth.Taste test and add more lime if you think it needs it.Press the base mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly. Refrigerate while you prepare the frosting.
Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
- Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and beat on medium speed for a few minutes, or until its smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides as needed.Taste test and add more honey or lime if you think it needs it.Spread frosting over coconut base layer, spreading it out to distribute evenly.Melt the chocolate for drizzle next.
Chocolate Drizzle
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, drizzle over the top of the bars with a spoon or place in a piping bag or Ziplock bag with the corner cut off.Place pan in freezer for about 45 minutes to one hour until mixture has set.Remove pan from freezer and, using both sides of wax or parchment paper, pull coconut bar slab out of the pan. Cut into 12-16 bars or more smaller squares depending on your size preference.Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
