Best-Ever Bar Cookies
Leave these chewy bar cookies unattended and they'll disappear faster than you can say "But those were for the bake sale!"
Tequila-Lime-Coconut Macaroon Bars
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons tequila
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnishes: powdered sugar, lime rind curls
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing 2 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.
Stir together 1 3/4 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake at 350° for 20 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in coconut, next 3 ingredients, and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir together baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup flour; whisk into egg mixture. Pour over hot crust.
Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Remove foil, and cut into bars. Garnish, if desired.
Related Article: 100 Ways with Fresh Berries
Strawberry-Lemon Shortbread Bars
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon lemon zest, divided
3/4 cup cold butter
2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup strawberry preserves
Garnishes: sweetened whipped cream, fresh strawberry slices
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together flour, powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp. lemon zest in a medium bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.
Bake at 350° for 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat just until blended after each addition. Stir in fresh lemon juice and remaining 1/4 tsp. lemon zest, beating well.
Spread preserves over shortbread. Pour cream cheese mixture over preserves, spreading to edges. Bake 28 to 32 more minutes or until set. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cover and chill 4 to 8 hours. Cut into bars; garnish, if desired.
Related Article: Guilt-Free Desserts
Ginger-Lemon Bars with Almond Streusel
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold butter
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 (10-oz.) jar lemon curd
3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
Garnish: powdered sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Toss in almonds; reserve 1 cup flour mixture. Press remaining flour mixture onto bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.
Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Spread lemon curd over crust, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sprinkle with ginger and reserved flour mixture. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Garnish, if desired.
Related Article: Wickedly Delicious Chocolate Desserts
Hello Dolly Bars
Ingredients
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Press mixture onto bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake 8 minutes. Sprinkle pecans, chocolate morsels, and coconut over hot crust. Pour condensed milk over top. (Do not stir.)
Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and edges are bubbly. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Related Article: Fresh Summer Peach Recipes
Peach Melba Shortbread Bars
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter
1 cup peach preserves
6 teaspoons raspberry preserves
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Garnish: powdered sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup flour mixture.
Lightly grease an 11- x 7-inch or 9-inch square pan. Press remaining flour mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Spread peach preserves over crust in pan. Dollop raspberry preserves by 1/2 teaspoonfuls over peach preserves. Sprinkle with almonds.
Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Garnish, if desired.
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