Tropical Dessert Bars Recipes

TROPICAL ESCAPE SOFT PINEAPPLE CRUMBLE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
• To a large bowl, add the butter, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and optional salt. Using two forks or a pastry cutter, cut butter into dry ingredients until a sandy mixture with peas-sized buttery bits forms.
• Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture; set aside.
• Transfer remaining mixture into prepared pan and using your fingertips or the back of a spatula, lightly press crumbs evenly into pan to form a crust.
• Bake for 10 minutes. While crust bakes, make the filling.
• In a large bowl (same one used to make the crust mixture is fine) add the egg, 1/2 cup sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, 1/4 cup flour, and whisk until smooth; set aside.
• Remove crust from oven and top evenly with pineapple chunks. About 90% of the surface area will be covered with pineapple; chunks will be very close to each other but not quite touching.
• Carefully and evenly pour the sour cream mixture over the pineapple, making sure to get it into the corners.
• Evenly sprinkle the reserved crust mixture over the top to create the crumble topping.
• Bake for about 35 minutes, or until edges and top are set.
• Place pan on top of a wire rack and allow bars to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

TROPICAL CITRUS BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In large bowl, beat 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of the coconut and the butter with electric mixer on low speed, or mix with spoon, until crumbly. Press in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat remaining 1/4 cup coconut, eggs, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup flour, the baking powder, lemon peel, lemon juice, lime peel and lime juice with electric mixer on low speed, or mix with spoon. Pour over partially baked crust.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Run sharp knife around edges of pan to loosen bars. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons powdered sugar. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.

TROPICAL DESSERT BARS

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350^. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
• 2. Stir cookie mix and melted butter with fork until crumbs form. Press evenly in bottom of prepared pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 3. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs just until blended, Beat in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and 2 Tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice. Pour mixture over warm crust. Sprinkle very well drained pineapple evenly over top.
• 4. Stir coconut, macadamia nuts and butter in small bowl until evenly moistened. Sprinkle over pineapple layer. Bake 30-35 minutes or until filling is set and coconut is lightly browned. Cool 1 hour on wire rack. Chill 1 hour. Cut into bars.

TROPICAL ROADIE BARS

Steps:

• Line a small cookie sheet or quarter sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray lightly with nonstick spray.
• Spray a large bowl. Add the almonds, pecans, dried pineapple, millet, oats and coconut flake and stir well.
• In a medium saucepot fitted with a candy thermometer, add the brown sugar, maple syrup, pineapple juice concentrate and salt; mix together with a heatproof spatula. Place the pot over high heat and cook the syrup to the soft-ball stage (240 degrees F), about 10 minutes.
• Pour the syrup over the nut mixture and toss well. Scrape onto the prepared cookie sheet and press firmly and evenly into a tight, compact layer. Cool for about 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 16 to 20 bars. Store in an airtight container.

TROPICAL FRUIT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, stir cake mix, butter and egg until mixed. Press in bottom of pan. Sprinkle evenly with baking chips, dried fruit, coconut and cashews; lightly press topping. Pour milk evenly over top.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until edges and center are golden brown. Cool completely, about 2 hours. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered.