Quick & Sweet Coconut Squares Recipe: A Tasty Tropical Treat

Coconut squares combine tropical sweetness with delightful texture, creating a mouthwatering treat that instantly transports you to sunny beaches.

These delectable desserts blend rich, creamy ingredients with a delicate crunch that dance across your palate.

Soft and indulgent, they represent more than just a simple confection – they’re a culinary experience that celebrates pure pleasure.

Home bakers love how straightforward these squares are to craft, requiring minimal technical skill and maximum enjoyment.

The fragrant essence of coconut permeates each bite, offering a sensory journey through layers of comfort and decadence.

Light yet satisfying, these squares strike a perfect balance between elegance and rustic charm.

Crafted with passion and precision, this recipe promises a delightful escape from ordinary desserts.

Coconut Squares That Crumble and Melt Just Right

• Tropical Flavor Explosion: Bursting with passion fruit and coconut, this dessert delivers a vibrant, tangy-sweet tropical taste that transports you to a sunny beach paradise.
• Simple Yet Sophisticated Technique: The two-layer baking method creates a perfect shortbread base topped with silky passion cream, making it look and taste like a professional pastry chef's creation.
• Quick and Easy Dessert Delight: Requiring just basic ingredients and minimal baking skills, this recipe takes less than 40 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute entertaining.
• Versatile Dessert Option: Perfectly portioned squares are great for parties, afternoon tea, or a refreshing summer treat that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for convenient serving.

Pantry Picks for Coconut Squares at Home

• Soft Butter: Creamy fat that provides richness and helps bind the shortbread base, best when at room temperature.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a golden color for the base.
• Flour: Provides structure and creates a crisp, crumbly shortbread texture.
• Grated Coconut: Adds tropical flavor and subtle texture to the base.

• Eggs: Crucial for creating a smooth, rich custard-like cream, room temperature eggs blend best.
• Sugar: Sweetens the passion fruit cream and helps with smooth texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the passion cream.
• Passion Fruit Puree or Juice: Provides bright, tangy tropical flavor to the cream.

• Grated Coconut: Sprinkled on top for extra texture and visual appeal, adds a tropical touch to the dessert.

How to Bake Coconut Squares with a Perfect Texture

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Line a 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper
• Ensure parchment hangs over sides for easy removal

Step 2: Create Coconut Shortbread Base

• Soft butter
• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Grated coconut

Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Gently fold in flour and grated coconut. Press mixture evenly into prepared baking pan. Use a fork to create small holes across the surface.

Step 3: Bake the Shortbread Foundation

Bake the base for 16-18 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).

Step 4: Whip Up Passion Fruit Cream

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Passion fruit puree

Whisk eggs and sugar until light and creamy. Carefully incorporate flour, then fold in passion fruit puree until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Layer and Finish Baking

Pour passion fruit cream over the partially baked shortbread base. Return to oven and bake for an additional 16 minutes until cream is set but slightly jiggly in center.

Step 6: Cool and Garnish

Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire rack. Sprinkle additional grated coconut on top. Once cooled, lift out using parchment paper edges and slice into squares.

Step 7: Store and Serve

Refrigerate bars if not serving immediately. Best enjoyed chilled within 3-4 days. Store in airtight container.

Tips to Achieve That Ideal Coconut Finish

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe passion fruits and high-quality coconut for maximum flavor intensity and natural sweetness.
• Prevent Crust Cracking: Prick the shortbread base thoroughly with a fork to avoid uneven rising and potential surface bubbles during baking.
• Achieve Smooth Cream: Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring a silky texture for the passion fruit layer.
• Control Baking Temperature: Use an accurate oven thermometer to maintain precise temperatures for even, golden-brown results.
• Master Cooling Technique: Allow the dessert to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting to maintain clean, sharp edges and optimal texture.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Coconut Squares

• Refrigeration: Store coconut squares in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dessert fresh and preserving its delicate texture.
• Covering: Wrap the squares tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect them from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Reheating: Gently warm individual squares in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or bring to room temperature before serving to restore their optimal taste and softness.

Snacks and Drinks That Work Well with Coconut Squares

• Pair with Tropical Cocktail: Mix a passion fruit mojito using fresh passion fruit, white rum, mint leaves, and a splash of coconut water to complement the dessert's tropical flavors.
• Match with Creamy Beverage: Serve alongside a chilled coconut milk latte or a smooth vanilla bean cappuccino to enhance the dessert's rich, creamy texture.
• Create Contrast with Sparkling Wine: Choose a crisp prosecco or champagne with hints of citrus to cut through the sweetness and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the coconut and passion fruit.
• Elevate with Fresh Fruit Garnish: Plate the coconut squares with fresh passion fruit segments, sliced mango, or a small scoop of coconut sorbet to amplify the tropical taste profile.

Fun Twists to Customize Coconut Squares

• Tropical Mango Fusion: Replace passion fruit puree with fresh mango puree for a sweeter, more tropical flavor profile.
• Zesty Lime Coconut Squares: Swap passion fruit with lime juice and zest, adding a tangy brightness to the creamy base.
• Berry Coconut Blast: Substitute passion fruit with mixed berry puree, creating a vibrant and fruity dessert with a rich, creamy texture.
• Chocolate Coconut Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the shortbread base and drizzle dark chocolate ganache over the finished squares for an indulgent chocolate-coconut combination.

Coconut Squares Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Coconut squares offer a tropical escape with their creamy, sweet texture and irresistible island charm. Subtle hints of vanilla and rich coconut create a delightful treat that transports your taste buds to paradise with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) passion fruit puree or juice
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) eggs (about 2 eggs)
• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) flour
• 90 grams (3.2 ounces) soft demi-sel butter

Sweeteners:

• 85 grams (3 ounces) granulated sugar
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) brown sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 20 grams (0.7 ounces) grated coconut
• 18 grams (0.6 ounces) flour

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 20 x 20 cm baking pan by lining it thoroughly with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides for easy removal.
2. Combine softened butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Gently fold in flour and grated coconut, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Evenly spread the shortbread mixture across the prepared pan, pressing it down firmly and creating an uniform base.
5. Use a fork to create multiple punctures across the entire surface, preventing potential rising during baking.
6. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 175°C and bake for 16 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden brown.
7. Reduce oven temperature to 160°C while preparing the passion fruit cream.
8. Whisk eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and slightly frothy.
9. Incorporate flour into the egg mixture, stirring carefully to avoid lumps.
10. Pour passion fruit puree into the egg mixture, blending until smooth and consistent.
11. Carefully pour the passion fruit cream over the partially baked shortbread base, ensuring complete and even coverage.
12. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 16 minutes at 160°C.
13. Remove from the oven and allow the dessert to cool completely on a wire rack.
14. Once cooled, generously sprinkle additional grated coconut across the surface.
15. Slice into elegant squares or rectangular portions.
16. Refrigerate if not serving immediately to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Opt for ripe, fragrant passion fruit to enhance the tropical flavor profile of these delightful squares.
• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing of the shortbread base.
• Line your baking pan carefully with parchment paper, allowing extra overhang for easy removal after baking.
• Prick the shortbread base thoroughly with a fork to prevent uneven rising and create a consistent texture.
• Cool the dessert completely before cutting to achieve clean, precise square shapes.
• Refrigerate leftovers to maintain the creamy texture and preserve the dessert’s delicate flavor balance.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 156
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 43mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 39mg