12 Days of Christmas Baking! Day 6: Coconut Lime Bars

Day 6: Coconut Lime Bars

Lime is one of the scents that evokes the holidays for me. Along with mandarin oranges and clementines, limes were always prevalent in our house for special occasions. One of my favourite cocktails at Christmas is the gin & tonic; with tons of limes, of course!

Put the lime in the coconut! And mix it all up!

These bright and chewy bars have a rich, buttery shortbread crust. The lime centre packs a limey whollop; and the coconut adds a sweet, chewy counterbalance to the acidic limes.

If you like lemon bars, you will love these coconut lime bars.

Coconut Lime Bars 

Makes one 9 x 13 inch tray of bars.
Crust
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Filling
1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4-5 limes)
Zest from one lime
Icing sugar for dusting

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. 

To make crust

1. In a food processor, mix together flour, sugar, salt, and butter. Pulse until combined and resembles very coarse crumbs. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and press mixture down with your hand until even. 
2. Bake bottom layer for about 20 minutes, until edges begin to turn colour. Remove from oven, but leave oven on. 

To make filling

1. Sprinkle half of the coconut over baked crust. In a food processor, mix together sugar, flour, eggs, lime zest and lime juice until blended. Or whisk together in a small bowl. Pour mixture into pan. Sprinkle remaining coconut over top. 
2. Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is set. Cool completely. 
3. Lift cooled bars out of pan using aluminum foil or parchment paper. Dust bars with icing sugar. Cut into bars.