Coconut Lime Bars

About 5 years ago, my husband and I took a trip to Belize and stayed at a beautiful hotel on the beach that had the most delicious coconut lime bars as a treat for guests. I was determined to get the recipe, but because the main chef was on vacation (I wonder where one vacations from the paradise of Belize?) all I was able to get was just a rough list of ingredients and some estimates. I'm proud to say that after many trials, I was finally able to recreate the magical Coconut Lime Bars. But, I really try to only make them on special occasions...they're so addictive and it's impossible to just have one!

You will need:

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)

3 eggs

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 and 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 and 1/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Zest from 3 limes

Preheat oven to 375.

Butter a quarter sheet pan (or half sheet pan if making double)

Cover with parchment paper, folding in the corners and leaving a 2 inch overhang on 2 sides

Melt 1/2 cup or 1 stick of butter in microwave or in a small pan

Using a fine grater, grate the zest from 3 limes

Place the melted butter, 1/3 cup sugar, the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 egg in the bowl of a standing mixer

Mix for a couple of minutes on low

Add zest from 1 lime and 1 cup of flour

Mix on low until incorporated, 30 seconds or so

Spread the batter with a spatula into the prepared sheet pan

Try to spread the batter as evenly as possible

Bake until the crust is just golden, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, leaving the oven on.

Meanwhile, wipe the bowl of the mixer and add 2/3 cup white sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla and zest from 2 limes

Mix on low for a minute or so, add 3/4 cup flour

Mix with a whisk or in the mixer just to blend the flour with other ingredients

Then add 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut and mix in with a spoon or spatula

Spread the coconut mixture on the baked crust, spreading as evenly as possible

Sprinkle with another 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Bake for about 25 minutes until coconut flakes are slightly brown

Watch closely to not burn…it can happen very quickly towards the end of the cooking time

And now it’s time to cut them!

As you can see, there’s a whole row missing already and I haven’t even cut them yet!