Tropical Delight Bar

"Rich and fruity this three layer bar is sinfully good. A soft cake-like coconut cookie base topped with an apricot and pineapple layer covered with a crumbly coconut crisp topping. Even better using a yellow cake mix makes it easy. (Since the end of RSC on March 20, I have updated the directions a bit to reflect the helpful feedback provided.)"
 
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photo by LUv 2 BaKE photo by LUv 2 BaKE
photo by LUv 2 BaKE
photo by LUv 2 BaKE photo by LUv 2 BaKE
photo by LUv 2 BaKE photo by LUv 2 BaKE
Ready In:
50mins
Ingredients:
12
Serves:
32
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ingredients

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directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Prepare a 9 by 13 inch pan with cooking spray.
  • To prepare the middle fruit layer: Place apricots, orange juice and zest, and brown sugar into a small saucepan over low-medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the crushed pineapple and cook an additional 5 minutes until somewhat thickened. Make sure you have a small amount of liquid left as it keeps the fruit layer moist. Using an immersion blender, chopper or food processor blend into a puree. Remove from stove top and allow to cool while you prepare the base layer.
  • To prepare the bottom layer: Pour cake mix into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add eggs and coconut milk and mix by hand. The batter will be quite sticky.
  • Reserve one cup of the batter for the topping and spread the rest evenly into the bottom of the baking pan.
  • Next, spread the fruit puree (middle layer) onto the cookie base.
  • To prepare the top layer: Take the batter reserved in making the base and combine with oatmeal, coconut, sugar, cinnamon and ginger. The mixture will resemble a sticky version of a fruit crisp topping. Using.
  • a fork to break off bits and place crumbles on top of the fruit layer covering the entire pan.
  • Bake bars for 30 minutes.
  • Let cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Cut and serve.

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Reviews

  1. This was really fun to make. I thought it was very good, a little sweet for me, but everyone else thought it was just right. Definitely, we will make this again. Thanks!
     
  2. I thought this was Ok but the ladies in my Bible study loved it. For me, when I use a mix it's because I'm in a hurry and with having to cook the fruit (longer than stated) that's not quick. I would have like more coconut flavor too, maybe some coconut extract would be a good addition.
     
  3. This dessert was beautiful and delicious! It never really achieved "bar" status for me though - it was too soft in the middle to slice into pieces that could be lifted out of the pan in one piece. I'm not sure if the fruit was perhaps too moist - I cooked it longer than 10 minutes total till it was "somewhat thickened." But I would definitely try it again because the taste and overall texture and color was really nice.
     
  4. Now this recipe is right up my alley! Great combinations of flavors, & yes, very sweet [JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT!]. As with a lot of recipes that include zest, I increased the amount of that ingredient, but everything else was as is the recipe! Very wonderfully done bar!
     
  5. This cake is addictive! Although it is very sweet, the mixture of the spongy soft cake, sweet smooth apricot and cruncy granola layers is a treat. I had a bit of difficulty getting the cake out of the pan after cooling 30 min as the cake layer is very delicate, but had no problem after almost completely cool. I used light coconut milk. I love how there very much added fat in this cake. I enjoyed this best the first day I made it (when the topping was crunchiest) and just slightly warm. This is a definite make again recipe!!! Reviewed for RSC #9.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>I come from a long line of wonderful cooks and doing my best to hold up that tradition. My great-grandparents owned a coffee shop; my Nana was also a great cook and started the tradition of baking around the holidays, both cookies and fruitcakes. After she died, now a decade ago, our family decided to continue in her honor. The picture above is my mother's (Chef Hot Pans) dining room table just before we packed up our Christmas cookie trays. More that 20 kinds of cookies, many of which are from 'Zaar recipes. <br /> <br />I myself am an amateur cook with a penchant for ethnic foods and spice. Currently reforming my menu in favor of healthy dishes lower in fat with lots of grains and vegetables. My favorite cuisines are Mexican, Southwestern and North African. <br /> <br /> <br />Some of my favorite public cookbooks include:</p> <li>ladypit's <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/mycookbook/book/33588> WW Core Recipes I Have Tried </a> </li> <p>&nbsp;</p> <li>shirl(j)831's <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/mycookbook/book/34888> Can this really be lowfat??? </a> </li> <p>&nbsp;</p> <li>julesong's <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/mycookbook/book/30566> Cooking Light Recipes </a> </li> <p>&nbsp;</p> <li>mariposa13's <a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/mycookbook/book/44690> WW &amp; Lowfat Recipes </a> </li> <p><br /><img src=http://members.aol.com/sdnt4life/dpg.gif alt=Dirty /> <br /><a href=http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/AM%20Banners/?action=view&amp;current=kitchen-special-hot2-1.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/AM%20Banners/kitchen-special-hot2-1.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /></a> <br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Animation1.gif alt=Image /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/4treasurehunt.gif alt=FFF#2 width=50% /> <br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/purplechefhat.gif alt=Image /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/chef3.jpg alt=Image /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/beartag_1_1.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/adopted_1_1.jpg border=0 alt=Adopted /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/200_artistrichardneuman-art-prints_.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/untitled.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/200_PACpic.jpg border=0 alt=PAC /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/projects/pacbanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photo /> <br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/ZaarWorldTourFirst.gif alt=/ /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/ZWT2.gif alt=/ /> <br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif alt=/ /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/AnimatedHostChallengeBanner.gif alt=ZWT3 /><img src=http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/RecipeSwap2.JPG alt=width=50% /> <br /><img src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/cookbookswap.jpg alt=/ /></p>
 
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