These Pink Coconut Snowball Cake Bars take me straight back to childhood afternoons spent wandering the little bakery on 5th Avenue with Lila. We would press our noses to the glass display case, mesmerized by rows of pastel treats. Without fail, she always chose the pink coconut squares — “the ones that look like snow but taste like birthday cake,” she’d say with complete certainty. Even then, they felt magical.
Now we make them at home, and every bite still feels like a memory wrapped in coconut. A rich, tender chocolate cake base supports a fluffy cream layer, all crowned with soft, pink-tinted coconut that looks like freshly fallen snow. Chilled and sliced into neat bars, these treats are nostalgic, whimsical, and completely irresistible — perfect for celebrations, holidays, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and comforting.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour plus chilling
Yield: 16 bars
Calories: ~250 per bar (approximate)
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup hot water
