Toasted Coconut Cheesecake Bars Recipes

COCONUT CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 9"x13" cake pan with foil so that 2" foil hangs over each side. Butter pan; set aside. In bowl of food processor, add Maria cookies and sugar; pulse until fine crumbs form, about 30 seconds. Add melted butter; pulse to evenly moisten crumbs. Transfer crumbs to prepared pan; using spatula or bottom of glass, press crumbs into even layer. Bake crust until lightly puffed and fragrant, 12-15 minutes; set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in medium mixing bowl, using electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, cream of coconut and salt on medium-high speed until well combined, 3-4 minutes. Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs, one at a time, and then vanilla extract until well combined.
• Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle coconut over top. Bake until edges of cheesecake is puffed but middle is barely set, 45 minutes. Cool cheesecake on cooling rack until room temperature. Chill in refrigerator, uncovered, until cold, at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• To remove cheesecake from pan, lifting up foil handles; transfer to cutting board. Cut cheesecake into squares. Serve.

TOASTED COCONUT CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray.
• Make brownies as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Spread in pan. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and almond extract with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Fold in 1 1/2 cups coconut. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls over brownie batter in pan.
• Bake 50 minutes or until cream cheese filling is light brown. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 2 hours. Use foil to lift out of pan. Cut into 5 rows by 3 rows.
• In small resealable freezer plastic bag, place bittersweet chocolate; seal bag. Microwave on High about 1 minute or until softened. Gently squeeze bag until chocolate is smooth; cut off tiny corner of bag. Squeeze bag to drizzle chocolate over bars. Sprinkle with additional coconut. Store covered in refrigerator.