Lemon Coconut Bars

Lemon bars are so bright and refreshing. I remember when we would bring lemon bars to the yearly neighborhood pot luck. Everyone raved about them and they complemented that it was something different than "another chocolate dessert". (Their words, not mine!) One year, I decided that I wanted to try sweetening it up just a tad, so I added some shredded sweetened coconut to it. That was the year, I had an empty pan before I got through the dinner line! Here's what you'll need to make a 9 x 13 pan:

Photo byJamielyn Nye

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup cold butter or margarine
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

Zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flaked coconut

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, and lightly coat it with non-stick spray.

In a mixing bowl, blend the flour and confectioners' sugar. Add in the butter and cut it in until the mixture is crumbly (you can also use a food processor and pulse until well combined).

Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and baking powder in a separate bowl until smooth. Then, add the sweetened coconut and mix in well. Pour mixture over the warm crust, then bake again at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.

Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting them into squares.