Raspberry Coconut Bars

Indulge in the delightful taste of Raspberry Coconut Oat Bars, a delicious treat that perfectly balances sweetness, fruity goodness, and wholesome oats. These bars are a scrumptious fusion of chewy oats, toasted coconut, and luscious raspberry preserves, creating a delightful combination that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re serving these bars as an afternoon snack, packing them for a picnic, or sharing them at a gathering, they are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. With a few simple steps, you can easily create these mouthwatering bars and enjoy the sweet essence of coconut and raspberry in every bite.

YIELD: Makes one 13×9 inch pan

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ sticks unsalted butter, chilled
• 1½ cups rolled oats (old-fashioned style)
• ¾ cup good quality raspberry preserves
• Shortening or cooking spray for preparing the pan

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Place ¾ cup of sweetened shredded coconut in a thin layer on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven. Stir every 3 to 4 minutes to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
3. Brush the 13×9 inch pan with shortening or spray it with cooking spray.
4. In a food processor, pulse to combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, and chilled unsalted butter. Alternatively, mix these ingredients by hand or with a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. The mixture should form crumbles with pea-sized bits.
5. Add the rolled oats and the previously toasted coconut to the mixture. Set aside 1 cup of the dough for later use.
6. Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan, creating an even layer as the base for the bars.
7. Spread the raspberry preserves on top of the dough, covering it evenly.
8. Crumble the reserved dough over the raspberry preserves, creating a textured topping for the bars.
9. Sprinkle the remaining untoasted coconut on top for an attractive finishing touch.
10. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until they turn golden brown.
11. Once removed from the oven, allow the bars to cool before cutting them into squares.
12. For storage, place the bars in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 1 week, or freeze them for longer preservation.

TIPS:

• Toasting Coconut: Before starting the recipe, toast a portion of the sweetened shredded coconut in the oven. Watch it carefully, as coconut can burn quickly. The toasted coconut adds a delicious nutty flavor and enhances the overall taste of the bars.
• Prepping the Pan: To ensure that the bars don’t stick to the pan, brush it with shortening or use cooking spray before pressing the dough.
• Mixing the Dough: You have the option to use a food processor, mix the ingredients by hand, or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Pulse or mix the flour, sugars, salt, and chilled butter until the mixture forms crumbles with pea-sized bits.
• Adding Oats and Coconut: After combining the oats and toasted coconut with the dough, set aside 1 cup of the mixture for later use.
• Pressing the Dough: Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan to create an even layer as the base for the bars.
• Adding Raspberry Preserves: Spread the raspberry preserves on top of the dough to create a delightful fruity layer that perfectly complements the coconut and oats.
• Crumbling the Reserved Dough: Crumble the reserved dough over the raspberry preserves, providing a lovely textured topping for the bars.
• Final Touch: Sprinkle the untoasted coconut on top for an attractive finish that adds a touch of coconut flavor to each bar.

Enjoy the delightful blend of raspberry, coconut, and oats in each mouthwatering bite of these Raspberry Coconut Oat Bars. Whether enjoyed as a snack or dessert, they are sure to be a favorite among family and friends. Savor the sweet and fruity goodness of these bars, and share the joy of baking with your loved ones.