Dream Bars

These aren't the prettiest bars you've ever seen, but you'll soon forget that when you bite into them.  The coconut, nuts and brown sugar bake together to make a gooey rich topping on top of a buttery cookie base. 

Ingredients

Cookie layer

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping

2 cups dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs, well beaten
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped nuts, walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts

Method

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.  Stir in the flour and salt; the mixture will be crumbly.  Pat the crumbs into a lightly greased 9" x 13" pan.  Bake the cookie layer for 10 minutes.  Once the base has been removed from the oven turn the oven up to 325 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour and baking powder.  Stir in the eggs, mixing until smooth, then add the coconut and nuts, mxing until well combined.  Dollop the topping onto the crust in the pan, spreading it out as evenly as possible. 

Bake the bars for 30 minutes, until they're golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let them cool.  Sprinkle them with confectioners' sugar, if desired and cut into squares. 

Makes about 24 bars.