Lime Coconut Bars

Name: Lime Coconut Bars
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 16 bars.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup finely crushed crisp sugar cookies; 3 tablespoons butter; 2-1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut; FILLING:; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup lime juice; 4-1/2 teaspoons yellow cornmeal; Pinch salt; 4 large egg yolks; 1 teaspoon grated lime zest; Confectioners' sugar

When I was planning a menu for a luau party, I found this refreshing dessert in my mother's recipe collection. Sometimes I'll garnish each bar with a dab of whipped cream and a small slice of lime. -Mary Jane Jones, Williamstown, West Virginia

Ingredients

3/4 cup finely crushed crisp sugar cookies
3 tablespoons butter
2-1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
FILLING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lime juice
4-1/2 teaspoons yellow cornmeal
Pinch salt
4 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

Place the crushed cookies in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in coconut; set aside 1 cup for topping. Press the remaining mixture into a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, for filling, combine the butter, sugar, lime juice, cornmeal and salt in a heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and cornmeal is softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Stir a small amount of hot lime mixture into the yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a thermometer reads 160° and mixture coats the back of a metal spoon, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in lime zest.
Pour over the crust; sprinkle with reserved coconut mixture. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Editor's Note: The cornmeal is used as a thickener in the filling.