Shelly's Recipe

TEQUILA-LIME-COCONUT MACAROON BARS

Category: Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons tequila
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnishes: powdered sugar, lime rind curls

Preheat oven to 350. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with aluminum foil, allowing some to extend over sides; lightly grease foil. Or, don't and just cut the bars in the pan.

Mix 1 3/4 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender ,fork or fingers until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of pan.

Bake for 20 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned.

While the crust is baking, whisk eggs in the same bowl until smooth. whisk in coconut, lime zest and juice and tequila. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir together baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup flour; whisk into egg mixture. Pour over hot crust.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Remove foil, and cut into bars.