KEY LIME BARS IN COCONUT CRUST

Key Lime Bars in Coconut Crust image

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Time 1h25m

Yield 24 bars

Number Of Ingredients 12

2/3 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 cups shredded sweetened coconut, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1/3-1/2 cup key lime juice

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°; lightly grease a 9x3 inch baking pan.
Make the crust: combine all crust ingredients in a food processor; process until the mixture is crumbly.
Set aside 1 cup of the crumbs; press the remaining crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 16-18 minutes, until it is golden brown.
Make the filling: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft.
Add in the sugar and salt; beat until well blended.
Stir in the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Stir in the lime juice, mixing until smooth; pour the filling onto the crust.
Bake the bars for 15 minutes; sprinkle with reserved crumbs and bake 10 more minutes, or until set around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the middle.
Remove from the oven and cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
For easiest slicing, refrigerate for several hours.