Best Coconutty Fruit Bars Recipes

COCONUT FRUIT & NUT BARS

Steps:

• Soak dates in hot water to cover in a medium bowl for 10 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over 2 sides. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
• Process the soaked dates, coconut, almonds, cashews and salt in a food processor until very finely chopped. Spread the mixture evenly and firmly in the prepared pan. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.
• Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the loaf and place it on a cutting board. Cut into 8 bars.

BUTTERY COCONUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides., In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and salt; stir in 1 cup melted butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until light brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 325°., In a large bowl, whisk the first 7 filling ingredients until blended; stir in 3 cups coconut. Pour over crust; sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake until light golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Lifting with parchment, remove from pan. Cut into bars.

EASY COCONUT CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, place cake mix. Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through mix in opposite directions), until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside 3/4 cup crumb mixture. Add egg to remaining crumb mixture in bowl, stirring just until blended. Press mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes or until light golden brown around edges.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix coconut, almonds and reserved crumb mixture; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave preserves on High 45 to 60 seconds or until warm and slightly melted. Stir in dried cherries and almond extract. Spoon warm preserves over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved coconut mixture.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

FRUIT COCKTAIL BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat sugar and eggs until blended. Beat in fruit cocktail and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture until well blended. , Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with coconut and walnuts. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. , In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, butter and milk to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Drizzle over cake. Cool. Cut into bars.