Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your bars bake evenly.
Grease your 9x13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, all-purpose flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix until everything is well combined and you have a crumbly texture.
Evenly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a measuring cup to ensure it’s compact and even.
Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes until it’s lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Sprinkle the shredded coconut and chocolate chips evenly over the baked crust.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramel bits and sweetened condensed milk. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
Pour the caramel mixture over the coconut and chocolate chip layer, spreading it gently to cover everything evenly.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the center is set.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve!