Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Toasted Coconut and Lime Shortbread Bars

Why, it was just last week that I wrote that there always seemed to be a reason to celebrate around Tuesday. It feels like harmony in the universe when I'm baking for a real reason, besides my passionate devotion to sugar, and Tuesdays with Dorie of course, my weekly baking club.
But today, and it's Monday as I write this, I have a legitimate reason for merriment. My little sister brought a brand new baby girl into the world this afternoon. A pink and perfect little baby to add to her pink and perfect collection of three at home. I've only called the hospital a grand total of 36.5 times (.5 because I don't really count the time I called and hung up.) I'm an Aunt. I know it's kind of old news, since I've been an Aunt since I was eight years old and I currently have more than forty nieces and nephews, but it will never go out of style with me. I'm proud to be an Aunt and delighted to be a part of a large and loving family. So celebrate with me this time, if you're looking for a reason. If you're not, then this cookie ought to be reason enough. They were fantastic; I mean really truly phenomenally delicious. I made my husband hide the last one away, but like an addict, I was searching the cupboards and finally crawled back and asked him where it was. But he had already eaten it. Wise and good quiet man, couldn't you have saved the last one for me? But I can't be ruffled on a day like today. The happiest days are when babies are born.
Money Saving Tips:
I left out the macadamia nuts on this one; they still rank as a luxury nut in my book, so I never have them in the cupboard. This cookie uses both the zest and juice of a lime-perfect money saving tactic. I leave my coconut on top of the cookie, where it gets the most bang for the coconut lovers, and where I can leave it off for the coconut nay sayers. I toast my coconut in the microwave on a paper towel; the process takes about 1 minute. Stop the microwave every 10-15 seconds and stir the coconut; repeat until toasted.
Toasted Coconut and Lime Shortbread Cookies
Estimated Cost: $1.75 for a bitty batch
Notes: I've changed this recipe up a bit, so I'm sharing my tweakings.
1/2 cup softened salted butter
1/3 cup sugar
zest of one lime
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
dash of salt
juice of one lime
1/2 cup powdered sugar, more or less
1/2 cup toasted coconut
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a loaf pan with buttered tin foil. In a small bowl, cream butter, sugar and lime zest until nice and fluffy. Add flour and just a dash of salt. Pat into prepared pan and bake for about 20-30 minutes (or longer; watch for the entire surface to be bubbly-not just the edges.) Cool on counter. Prepare glaze by combining powdered sugar and lime juice until smooth. Pour over cooled cookies and sprinkle with coconut. Yum!
Up Next:
Coconut Chicken Curry

32 comments:

Sihan said...

Sounds like you're on a coconut spree! and i'm loving it too! your bar cookies look absolutely gorgeous!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Mmm, such refreshing bars!! And hooray for a weekly baking club :-)

Pamela said...

Congrats to your sister and your entire family! A new baby is always something to celebrate! The cookies look great! I love your version.

Peggy said...

Congrats on your new niece!! How exciting. And your cookies are great!

Megan said...

These look and sound fantastic!!!

chocolatechic said...

They look fabulous.

Eleganza Strings/ The DeLadurantey Family said...

Mmm. Great idea...I love lime and coconut, we will have to give these a try soon!

Marjie said...

Well, Dang! I wish I'd known coconut could be toasted in the microwave before my girls made their samoas a couple of weeks back; they'd have spent less time hovering around the oven! I love shortbread cookies. And congrats on the new niece! I wish I had 40 nieces and nephews, but I have no family except my dearly beloved and children. But if I do the math, aren't you a little behind your sibs (LOL)?

gigi said...

Oh new babies in the family bring such joy! Aren't you the lucky one to have so many nieces and nephews to love and share.

Love, love coconust anything!! These look amazing and I can't wait for the Coconut Chicken Curry!! Three of my favorite things, can't wait, can't wait!!

Sarah said...

Congratulations on your new niece! 40 nieces & nephews!!! Wow!

These bars look wonderful! I love lime & coconut together. And shortbread makes everything better. :)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I love the addition of the lime with the toasted coconut!

Cathy said...

Yay! Congratulations on your sweet baby niece. There is nothing like the miracle of a new baby. Love your shortbread bars, too. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this recipe; I do not like coconut and went in with very low expectations. Dorie does it again!

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

oooh! What a great way to do these. I did go out and buy macadamia nuts but might use another nut the next time. I like the way you did the coconut so that those that don't like it don't have to deal with it. :)

Gaengy said...

I really love your blog. This recipe looks so good can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing your stories and recipes. I really enjoy them!

Jamie said...

Your cookies look great...these were super tasty! Congrats on the niece!

Catherine said...

The happiest days really are the days that babies are born. I saw the sweet, pink, and perfect baby this morning, and she really is something to be celebrated!

Your cookies looks delicious!

Allie said...

How exciting and congrats to your family! The bars look wonderful, coconut and lime sound like a good combo!

Leslie said...

I agree with you that the happiest days are the days when babies are born. Ms. Mitchell and Melly would agree, too. And so would Rhett, I think.
I wish I was there to take her kids to the park and out for ice cream, and to hold her new baby. They could have come over to help make coconut bars.
These look delicious, and I love coconut.
Well, aren't you glad you're just a few hours away from our new niece? I can't wait to meet her and I enjoyed your sweet post about the new baby.

Michal said...

yay! she came! have they named her yet? i hope she posts pictures soon . . . i'm dying to hear. i'm so glad that everyone is well.

and those cookies? i'll be making them today. i need to celebrate that new baby, too, and if you say that these bars are the way, i am happy to oblige.

Katrina said...

Ooh, love the toasted coconut on top!

Ali said...

Wow, that looks SO yummy! I might have to make those tonight! Thanks!

Emily Rose said...

congrats on your new niece! These look amazing as bars- what a great idea!! I also had no idea that you could toast coconut in the microwave! what?!! that's awesome!

Flourchild said...

Wow do your bars look good..nice job. I really loved this recipe!

Sara said...

These look amazing. I'm tempted to make them right now, but I already have a dessert lying around tempting me. I will try these soon!

taffi said...

Congrats on the new baby, Auntie!

and I'm soooo in trouble with those cookies. I love shortbread, I love toasted coconut, I love lime. Baaaaaad for me, this is. ;-)

Nickki said...

They look delicous! Congratulations on the new arrival to the family :)

Teanna said...

Forty nieces and nephews?!?! What a great, huge family! That's amazing! Your bars look delicious and I love that you added toasted coconut to the top! Congrats!

Lisa said...

Congratulations Auntie!

These bars look absolutely delectable, I have got to try them!

Thanks for the yummy goodness!

Jackie said...

Made these last night. Had to farm them out to the neighbors so I wouldn't eat them all. Absolutely to die for! I found my shortbread needed a lot longer than 20 minutes at 325 though. Has anyone found that?

Anonymous said...

Toasted coconut in the microwave? That's fantastic!

~Cat

Prudy said...

Jackie:
I'll include that in my cook time! I'm so glad you liked them. Thanks.

The Food Librarian said...

Wow! These look fantastic and delicious. Congratulations on being an Aunt again!!!!