Coconut Jam Squares one of the Best Melt in Your Mouth Shortbread Squares, three perfect layers make this a Bar Cookie that will be the first to be eaten.
I know it isn’t friday, and you are probably thinking “doesn’t she usually do desserts on Friday? Today, it’s Sunday”, I know this is unusual, but there is a reason for this unscheduled update.
As I’m writing this blog post, I am packing my suitcase and adding some last-minute items to it, because tomorrow I am flying back to Toronto, Canada.
My eldest daughter is graduating from college and I will be there cheering for her in the crowd at the graduation ceremony!
So, in honour of my return to Canada and finally getting to give my daughter a huge hug and kiss (and all the rest of my fantastic family and friends) I have decided to share these squares which were probably one of the first Desserts my Mother ever made, after of course those fabulous Hello Dollies, or what do they call them now? seven layer bars?
But I love these coconut jam squares more. These are fabulous, and that is coming from someone who isn’t even crazy about coconut.
These coconut jam squares offer everything. A Shortbread base, a sweet center, and that fabulous meringue/coconut topping, to die for.
What can I say, I love food, I believe I am a very lucky person, because I married an Italian. I consider myself a lover of all cuisines, but I must say, personally I think Italian is one of the best.
Coconut Jam Squares
But at the same time I like to mix-and-match and I think every good dish of pasta deserves an amazing dessert, even if it is a cookie or a square.
I can remember when my mother used to make these squares and then freeze them, because you never knew when they would be needed.
I didn’t care, I would slip down to the freezer and I wouldn’t think twice about taking out a few, even if they were frozen! Now I don’t even have to eat them frozen or wait till they thaw. I make them myself whenever I feel like it. Perks of being a baker!
I think sometimes the best foods are the ones that remind us of wonderful experiences we lived or have the ability to produce amazing new memories that we will hold on to forever.
For me these coconut jam squares embed the essence of both, past and future memories. So give them a try and Enjoy!
Coconut jam squares
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter* 185 grams
- 1/4 cup sugar 50 grams
- 1 1/2 cups flour 192 grams
- 1 pinch salt
- 2-3 tablespoons jam , strawberry or a berry jam is probably best 50-70 grams
- Topping
- 2 egg whites
- 3/4 cup brown sugar 165 grams
- 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 grams
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut 40 grams
*I use salted butter, if you use unsalted then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt instead of a pinch.
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 325° (170°)
- Topping: in a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff, add sugar, salt and vanilla, mix well with a wooden spoon, fold in the coconut, set aside.
- Sift together flour and salt.
- In a medium bowl cream butter, add sugar and blend well at medium speed, gradually add flour,salt mixture, when well mixed, spread and pack lightly in a 8" (20 centimeter) cake pan. Spread thinly with jam. Cover with topping and bake in a slow oven for approximately 35 minutes. Cut into fingers when cool. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Joanne Collett says
I’ve always had an Italian in my kitchen other than my self….And I’m sure more than one at a time……As a young bride of 19, I needed all the help I could get….As the years flew by I have come to cherish the recipes shared on bits of paper..brown paper bags, index cards and once on my arm…lack of paper in car before I phones….And now that I’m one month shy of 79….Welcome to my kitchen if only in the form of this fantastically delicious cookie….every time I cook or bake using the many recipes my family’s great cooks have handed down over all these years I can feel those loved ones who are long gone peering over my shoulder…..so as I usually say , Welcome to my kitchen and thank you for sharing this gem of a recipe!
Rosemary says
Hi Joanne, thanks so much, and thank you for sharing, yes nothing like recipes on index cards and pieces of paper. So glad you like the recipe, it’s my husband’s favourite. Take care. And Happy Early Birthday!
Lisa says
Can I make those bars without coconut? Any other suggested substitutes for the coconut? ?
Lisa
Rosemary says
Hi Lisa, what about finely chopped nuts or you could probably leave it out. If you leave it out maybe 3 egg whites would be better. Let me know how it goes.
Doreen says
Great recipe. Bar has wonderful flavor and this will now be a part of my Christmas cookie platter. Also recommend lemon shortbread cookie recipe as well. Thank you again for great recipes !
Rosemary says
Hi Doreen, thanks so much, this is my favourite cookie, so when people discover it, it makes me very happy. Merry Christmas.
Susan Axelrod says
These were absolutely delicious. Easy recipe was a plus. Definitely will be making again and quite often.
Rosemary says
Hi Susan, thanks so much, these are one of our favourites, glad you like them. Merry Christmas.
Maryann says
A nice changeup from lemon bars. Same shortbread crust but a nice texture on top due to the coconut/brown sugar top with a nice crusting over due to the egg whites. It took about 1/2 cup of jam (i’ve made this with blackberry jam and with lime curd) when I made it, in order to cover the crust. Delicious buttery cookie bars for the holiday cookie exchange!
Rosemary says
Thanks Maryann, glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas.
JoAnn Giannini says
I have been hunting this recipe for years.
Rosemary says
Hi JoAnn, so glad to hear that! These are one of my favourite bar cookies and I have no idea why they aren’t noticed. So thank you for noticing. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
Carol says
I used to go down to the basement freezer with my sister and get squares that were put away for some festive occasion. It is a wonderful memory. Much older now and I love to think back on those times! Those squares just tasted so good! It seems like we thought nobody else ever did such a thing. I guess everyone would think the same thing.
Rosemary says
Hi Carol, haha glad to know we weren’t the only ones. And yes the frozen cookies always tasted better. 🙂
Linda says
Hi Rosemary,
These Coconut Jam Squares look delicious! Can they be frozen? Might that affect the meringue topping?
Thanks.
Linda
Rosemary says
Hi Linda, thanks, and yes they can be frozen, my Mom used to freeze them all the time. I don’t because they are my absolute favourite and they never get that far. 🙂 Let me know how it goes.
rose says
Thank you , they have always been my favourite.
huntfortheverybest says
this looks so yummy!