Tropical Fruit Bars
The passion fruit–coconut salsa is also terrific with a host of other desserts, especially anything with chocolate.
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The passion fruit–coconut salsa is also terrific with a host of other desserts, especially anything with chocolate.
Ingredients
Passion fruit–coconut salsa
- 1 cup finely grated unsweetened coconut
- 1 kiwifruit, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 5 strawberries, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 papaya, seeded and finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 mango, peeled, pitted and finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup finely diced pineapple
- 2 Tbs. passion fruit puree
- 2 Tbs. dark rum
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh mint leaves
Base
- 2 cups unbleached white flour
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Topping
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. salt
- 13/4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3/4 cup chopped dried pineapple
- 3/4 cup chopped dried mango
- 3/4 cup chopped dried papaya
- 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Prepare salsa: On baking sheet, spread coconut. Bake 21⁄2 minutes, remove sheet from oven and toss coconut to mix. Return sheet to oven and bake until golden brown, 2 minutes more. Set aside to cool. In medium bowl, combine kiwi, strawberries, papaya, mango and pineapple. Toss to combine, then add passion fruit puree and rum and toss again. Just before serving, add mint strips and cooled coconut and toss to combine.
Prepare base: Coat 13 by 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with aluminum foil, allowing 2-inch overhang along each side. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray. In medium bowl, sift together flour, ginger and pinch of salt. In another medium bowl, beat butter and sugar with wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture and mix until crumbly dough forms. Using your fingers, press dough into prepared pan, covering bottom with an even layer. Prick dough several times with fork. Place in oven and bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool. Do not turn off oven.
Prepare topping: In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in coconut, pineapple, mango, papaya and nuts. Pour mixture over cooled, baked crust and spread evenly with spatula. Bake until topping is lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to rack and let cool completely. Cut into 24 portions and serve with passion fruit–coconut salsa.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 247
- Carbohydrate Content 28 g
- Cholesterol Content 37 mg
- Fat Content 15 g
- Fiber Content 3 g
- Protein Content 3 g
- Saturated Fat Content 8 g
- Sodium Content 145 mg
- Sugar Content 0 g