Dream Bars are a beloved vintage treat, often found in old-fashioned family cookbooks. These layered dessert bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a sweet, chewy layer rich in coconut, nuts, and brown sugar. Popular in mid-century America, Dream Bars were a staple at bake sales, holiday gatherings, and potlucks. Their dreamy texture and caramel-coconut flavor made them a household favorite. This recipe’s charm lies in its simplicity and the nostalgic flavors it evokes.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
For the topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs (well beaten)
- 2 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the crust
- Mix butter, brown sugar, and flour together.
- Press into a greased baking pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Make the topping
- Combine brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in coconut and chopped nuts.
- Spread evenly over the partially baked crust.
Step 3: Final bake
- Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Tips
- Substitute chopped almonds or pecans for the walnuts for a twist.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract to the topping for extra depth.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top before baking for a sweeter version.
- For gluten-free, use almond flour in both crust and topping.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Dream Bars. ½ cup butter. ½ cup brown sugar. 1 cup flour. mix all togather - bake 10 min. Then add on top 1 cup brown sugar. 2 eggs well beaten 2 tablespoons flour. ½ tea- baking Powder ¼ teaspoon salt. 1½ cups coconut. 1 cup nut meat. Bake in oven 20 min more.
From Transcription to Instructions
Hi from Salvaged Recipes, the original directions are a short note that says to mix the butter, sugar and flour and "bake 10 min, " then lists the topping, but it doesn't give an oven temperature or say to grease and press the crust. Our instructions break that into two clear steps: preheat to 350°F, press the crust into a greased pan and par-bake 10 minutes, then combine the topping ingredients, stir in coconut and nuts, and spread them over the hot crust before baking 20 more minutes. We kept close to the original, just unpacking the steps so the order stays simple and you can tell exactly when things go in.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.6mg
