Gooey Chocolate Coconut Bars

Pictures From Evil Shenanigans 

Being that my sister and I live only about 2 hours apart, we are lucky enough to  spend most holidays together. Labor Day was perfect. Good food, good weather and just a fun time watching the cousins play. My brother in law loves, loves coconut and requested these coconut bars  for dessert.

Fudgy, creamy, coconutty and just downright good. These were a major winner.

Gooey Chocolate Coconut Bars    

Evil Shenanigans

Serves 8

For the base:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon almond extract

For the topping:
4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Heat the oven to 350 F and spray an 8″x8″ square pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides, and spray the paper with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.  Add the butter, egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until the mixture forms a stiff dough.

Carefully press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.  Set aside.

For the topping, cream together the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth.  Add egg and mix well, then add the cocoa powder and vanilla and mix until well blended.  Slowly beat in the powdered sugar until smooth then fold int he coconut.

Spread the topping evenly over the base then bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the center is a little wobbly.  Cool for 40 minutes in the pan before lifting out and slicing.

"The best advice I can give you for these bars is this: do not over-bake them.  They need to be set at the sides but jiggly in the center.  Trust me, things will firm up after cooling.  If you wait for the center to firm up in the oven the edges will become hard as a rock."

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Posted by: Sallie & Julia