Tropical Squares Recipes

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 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 SQUARES

Steps:

• Combine prepared crumbs with butter.
• Press mixture on bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in crushed fruit.
• Fold in whipped topping. Spread cream cheese filling over crust.
• Prepare jelly powder according to 30 minute set method. Stir mandarin oranges, banana slices, and pineapple tidbits in juice.
• Pour jelly mixture over cream cheese filling and chill for 3 hours.

TROPICAL LEMON SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Mix the flour and brown sugar until smooth and lump free, add the melted butter and chopped cashews and mix until well combined (should look like fine crumbs).
• Press mixture into a 9x13-inch pan and bake for 10 minutes.
• Mix the eggs and condensed milk (I use the same bowl) until smooth and well combined, then mix in the lemon juice until smooth and well integrated.
• Add the coconut, chopped raisins and chopped apricots and mix well.
• Spread the coconut mixture evenly over the partially baked crust and return to the oven for 30 minutes until a light golden in colour (note the coconut in these squares is supposed to be slightly moist rather than dry so the top may look very slightly moist at this point).
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan while still warm to prevent sides from sticking, wait until the squares are completely cool before cutting into 35.

TROPICAL BREAKFAST BARS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly oil and line a 20cm deep square tin with baking parchment.
• Mash the bananas in a bowl until smooth, then stir through the oil, egg and sugar. Fold through the muesli, most of the tropical mix and a pinch of salt. Spoon the mixture into the tin and sprinkle with the remaining tropical mix. Bake for 35-40 mins, leave to cool in the tin, then turn out on to a board and slice into 10 bars. Will keep in an airtight container for four days.

TROPICAL PEANUT SQUARES

Steps:

• Measure corn syrup & sugar into 3 qt saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture bubbles.
• Add to Special K & coconut.
• Stir until well coated.
• Press evenly into buttered pan. Cut in squares when cool.

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.