“What a huge hit at the office and our house! I thought it was a newer recipe, but my coworker said her mom made the same ones when she was a kid”

These Tom Thumb Bars are a nostalgic treat with a buttery crust and a decadent, chewy topping full of coconut, nuts, and rich brown sugar flavor. Simple to prepare yet packed with texture and sweetness, they’re a classic dessert perfect for sharing.

Tom Thumb Bars

Ingredients

Crust:

• Butter — ⅔ cup
• All-purpose flour — 1 ¼ cups
• Dark brown sugar — ⅔ cup
• Salt — 1 teaspoon

Topping:

• Dark brown sugar, packed — 1 cup
• All-purpose flour — 2 tablespoons
• Baking powder — 1 teaspoon
• Eggs — 3
• Vanilla extract — 1 teaspoon
• Chopped walnuts or pecans — 1 cup
• Sweetened shredded coconut — 1 ¾ cups

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep Pan: Set your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. Create the Crust: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough is crumbly but sticks together when pressed.
3. Press & Par-Bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared pan to form a thin crust. Bake for 13–15 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden.
4. Mix the Topping Base: While the crust bakes, stir together the brown sugar, flour, and baking powder in a new bowl.
5. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs and vanilla until the mixture becomes pale and slightly frothy, about 1–2 minutes.
6. Fold in Add-ins: Gently mix in the chopped nuts and coconut until evenly distributed.
7. Assemble & Bake Again: Once the crust is out of the oven, pour the topping over it and spread evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is set and lightly golden around the edges.
8. Cool Completely: Let the bars cool fully in the pan before slicing into squares or bars.