We are halfway through our 12 Days of Cookies extravaganza thing, and I chose something familiar, the coconut bars from 1953. I had these many times while growing up, but I've never made them myself and I felt it was high time to do so. They made me feel so very retro I wanted to burst into renditions of old standards like That's Amore or Rags to Riches, both #1 songs from that year.
Is it cheating to make bar cookies? Seriously, these are so easy to make and they have a wonderful gooeyness about them that is incredibly rich, and we said the pieces need to be small because it is so rich. It's a small recipe for an 8-inch square pan, but often that's all you need for an afternoon tea or an easy dessert.
Be sure to visit all our friends in the cookie clan to see what cookies they chose as well as the Gourmet website to see all their favorite cookies from 1941-2008.
The Rest of the Cookie Baking Clan
- Courtney of Coco Cooks
- Jerry of Cooking By the Seat of My Pants
- Judy of No Fear Entertaining
- Sandy of The Bakers Bench
- Claire of The Barefoot Kitchen
- Kelly of Sass & Veracity
Coconut Bars Cookies
Equipment
- stand mixer with paddle attachment (or hand mixer and mixing bowl)
- 8-inch square baking pan
- small bowl
Ingredients
CRUST
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cups brown sugar
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
TOPPING
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- pinch salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- powdered sugar (for sprinkling on top)
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375° F/190° C.
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, cream the butter. Gradually add the brown sugar and beat until smooth. Stir in the flour until the mixture is smooth. Press the dough into the bottom of the square pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, clean the bowl and paddle. In the small bowl, toss the shredded coconut with the flour. In the bowl of the stand mixer, beat the eggs and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla, chopped walnuts, and the shredded coconut mixture.
- Spread the batter over the baked crust and bake for 20 minutes longer. Cool completely. To serve, sprinkle with powered sugar and cut into 24 squares or bars.
Courtney says
Do you know I have nevr made a bar cookie. I might have to add this to my list. They look wonderful.
kellypea says
I am all over the bar cookie thingy, I swear! I love coconut but don't indulge often because my husband turns his nose up. More for me I guess, right? These sound perfect -- I know I'd enjoy them quite a bit.
megan says
these look absolutely delicious!! can't wait to see what other yummy treats you bake up 🙂
ingrid says
I never tried these before. I need to change that ASAP. Thanks for the recipe and the 8X8 pan is perfect. I need to trim off some weight! LOL!
~ingrid