Pineapple Dream Bars

Pineapple Dream Bars boast a shortbread-like crust with a custard filling containing coconut, walnuts and maraschino cherries.

Yield: 18 bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed, divided use
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
• 1 (8.25 ounce) can crushed pineapple in syrup or juice
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
• 1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In medium mixer bowl, beat butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar.
3. Blend in 1 cup all-purpose flour until mixture is crumbly.
4. Pat into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.
6. Keep oven hot, but remove the pan to cool.
7. Drain pineapple well, pressing out excess liquid with back of spoon.
8. In large bowl, combine remaining 2/3 cup brown sugar until thick.
9. In small bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
10. Stir dry ingredients and extract into egg mixture.
11. Fold in pineapple, coconut, nuts and cherries.
12. Spread over baked crust.
13. Bake for 30 minutes longer or until set.
14. Cool slightly on wire rack before cutting into bars.