Raspberry Bars with Coconut

Name: Raspberry Bars with Coconut
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 dozen
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; 1 jar (12 ounces) raspberry preserves; 1 cup white baking chips

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Yield 2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

These raspberry bars with coconut taste like summer, but you can make them at any time. They use preserves instead of fresh berries, so you can pull a batch together any time using what's in your pantry.

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 jar (12 ounces) raspberry preserves
1 cup white baking chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in 1-1/4 cups coconut and walnuts.
Press 3/4 of the dough into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves. Sprinkle with chips and remaining 3/4 cup coconut. Crumble remaining dough over the top; press lightly.
Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 253 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

While mixing a batch of plain bars, I was inspired to add raspberry preserves and flaked coconut to the dough…and wound up with these yummy treats, now a family favorite. —Amanda Denton, Barre, Vermont

Recipe Creator