Lemon Coconut Bars

It’s hard to beat the combination of strong lemon flavor and a warm brown sugar bar. Adding in walnuts and coconut made these Lemon Coconut Bars one of the tastiest desserts we made all year. Best eaten warm! After 24 hours, all that I had left to photograph was one bar…! They were that good!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

FILLING:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• Zest from one large lemon (put 2/3rds in the filling and save 1/3 for the glaze)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut (we used unsweetened and it was slightly less sweet)
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

GLAZE:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Remaining grated lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes; gradually beat in flour, mixing well.

Press onto bottom of a greased 13×9-in. baking pan. Bake until edges are golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

For filling, in a large bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, lemon zest and extracts until blended. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; stir into egg mixture. Stir in coconut and pecans. Spread over crust.

Bake until golden brown, 17-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over warm filling. Cool. Cut into bars.

Originally adapted from https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lemony-coconut-bars/print/