Coconut-Chocolate Bars

Coconut-Chocolate Bars

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
2 cups flaked coconut
1/2 cup caramel topping
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp vegetable oil

Heat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and the vanilla using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in the flour and cocoa until a soft dough forms. On low speed, beat in 1 cup of the coconut. Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the center is set. Drizzle the caramel over the baked layer. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of coconut. In a resealable freezer plastic bag, mix the chocolate chips and the vegetable oil. Seal the bag. Microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds. Squeeze the chocolate in the bag every 15 seconds until smooth. Cut a 1/4 inch tip from the corner of the bag. Drizzle the chocolate over the coconut. Makes 32 bars