These Easy Coconut Brownies start with a boxed brownie mix, so they come together fast. Sweetened coconut gets stirred into the batter, then a layer of sliced almonds and chocolate chips goes on top before baking. Inspired by Almond Joy candy bars, this recipe is so simple, and so delicious!
Why we love this recipe
- We get to start with our favorite brownie mix, so we know we'll have delicious brownies every time.
- This recipe is easy enough for the kids to either help with, or to make on their own.
- The combination of chocolate, almond, and coconut is always a winning combination, our little twist on Almond Joy brownies.
A couple more box brownie mix hacks we like are these brownies made with Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies, so good! And these chocolate brownies topped with a homemade chocolate crumble. Amazing!
We also have these delicious Chocolate Cookie Bar with Chocolate Chips!
Coconut Almond Brownies Ingredients
- Brownie Mix - the base of the recipe. Just follow the wet ingredients called for on the back of the box (usually oil, eggs, and water).
- Shredded Coconut - we use sweetened coconut here. Sweetened coconut has more moisture, which works in our favor in a dessert like this. It bakes into the brownies without drying them out, keeping every bite soft and moist.
- Sliced Almond - these go on top before baking, so they toast slightly in the oven and add crunch against the fudgy brownie underneath. It's our nod to the almond layer in an Almond Joy bar.
- Chocolate Chips - sprinkled over the almonds, they melt just enough to add pockets of rich chocolate without turning the top into a solid chocolate shell. Milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips all work well.
Nut Variations
Sliced almonds give these brownies their Almond Joy-inspired flavor, but they're easy to swap if you prefer a different nut. Chopped pecans or walnuts should work in the same amount and pair well with the chocolate.
If you want to play up the coconut even more, chopped macadamia nuts are a natural fit. We haven't tested these swaps ourselves, so keep an eye on baking time and texture if you try one and let us know in the comments how it turns out!
How to Make Coconut Chocolate Brownies
Prepare your brownie mix according to the package directions. This is usually oil, eggs, and water, blended together in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Stir in 1 cup of shredded coconut, mixing just until it's evenly distributed through the batter.
Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, then pour in the batter. Sprinkle the sliced almonds evenly over the top.
Next, add the chocolate chips. The almonds go down first so they toast against the batter, and the chips sit on top so they melt into pockets of chocolate rather than sinking in.
Bake according to the package directions, using your pan size as a guide for timing.
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Because of the added coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips, these brownies typically need a few extra minutes over what the box recommends. Check them a few minutes before the shortest bake time listed and watch closely from there so they don't overbake.
Brownies too dry or soggy?
Why are my brownies dry? - this usually comes down to baking too long or not measuring your ingredients correctly. Since we're adding coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips on top of a standard box mix, it's easy to lose track of how long they've actually been in the oven. Set a timer for the shortest bake time on the box and check from there instead of guessing. Also double-check you're using level measurements for the wet ingredients called for on the box; too little oil or water is a common culprit for dry brownies.
Why are my brownies soggy in the middle? - Soggy or underdone centers usually mean the brownies came out of the oven too soon, or were sliced before they had a chance to set. Let them bake until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs, then let them cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting. The center continues to firm up as they cool, and slicing too early can make a fully-baked brownie look soggy when it isn't.
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Coconut Brownies FAQs
I usually just cover the brownies with aluminum foil and leave them on the counter.
Yes. Stirring shredded coconut directly into your prepared brownie batter is an easy way to dress up a plain box mix. Just fold it in after you've mixed the batter, before pouring it into the pan. About 1 cup of shredded coconut is the right amount for a standard box of brownie mix.
You can always add a couple teaspoons of instant coffee when making the brownie batter. Other ingredients that really complement chocolate are salt and vanilla.
Mom Tip
Should I use a metal pan or glass pan for baking? Personally, I switch between both. In these photos a glass dish was used, resulting in a more fudgy brownie (this is the way I like it). However, You will find a lot of information about how metal pan will conduct the heat differently. For some great insights on which type of pans to use, check out this post from Handle The Heat. You will find some great information there.
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Complete Recipe
Easy Coconut Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box Brownie Mix pick your favorite brand
- 3 tablespoons Water *
- ½ Canola Oil *
- 2 Eggs *
- 1 cup Shredded Coconut sweetened
- ½ cup Chocolate Chips **
- ½ cup Sliced Almonds
Instructions
- Start off with a box of your favorite Chocolate Brownie Mix and prepare the mix according to the directions on the package.
- Stir in 1 cup of shredded coconut.
- Top the brownie batter with ½ cup of slivered almonds.
- Next, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the almonds.
- Bake the brownies according to the package directions. Additional time may be needed due to the added ingredients.
- Let cool slightly and serve.
- We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
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