How do you make Grandma's coconut chews with a shortbread crust?

To make Grandma's coconut chews, start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 8x8 pan. Combine 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 cup all-purpose flour, then press the crust into the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Mix the filling from 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, pour it over the crust, and bake for 20 more minutes. Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Do you need to prebake the shortbread crust for coconut chews?

Yes, it is essential to prebake the shortbread crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling. This par-baking step ensures the shortbread base is fully cooked and stays crisp, preventing it from becoming soggy from the wet coconut filling. After baking, let the crust cool for a few minutes while preparing the filling.

Can you make Grandma's coconut chews gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily make gluten-free coconut chews by substituting the flour in the crust and filling. For the crust, replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 2/3 cup brown rice flour plus 1/3 cup potato starch, or use a reliable 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. The filling's 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour can be replaced with brown rice flour.

How do you store homemade coconut chew bars and can you freeze them?

Store cooled coconut chew bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They also freeze exceptionally well for several months if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. For the cleanest slices, chill the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes after they have cooled completely before cutting.

Grandma’s Coconut Chews: Buttery Shortbread And Chewy Coconut Bars

Name: Grandma's Coconut Chews
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Ingredients

Scale

Crust Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

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Instructions

1-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 pan with butter or line with parchment.
2-Combine the butter, sugar, and flour for: Combine the butter, sugar, and flour for the crust in a medium mixing bowl. Stir until well-combined. Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3-Bake the crust for 10 minutes: Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes while finishing the rest of the recipe.
4-Mix together the filling ingredients and pour: Mix together the filling ingredients and pour over the crust. Bake 20 minutes more (25 minutes for a doubled recipe). Let cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

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Prep Time: 5 min
Method: bake

Nutrition

Calories: 235 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 84 mg
Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 48 mg