coconut jam squares

Name: Coconut Jam Squares
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 large egg whites; 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 cup flaked coconut (unsweetened); 1 1/2 cups flour; 1 pinch salt; 3/4 cup butter*; 1/4 cup sugar; 2-3 tablespoons jam , strawberry or a berry jam is probably best

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As many of you already know, I spend quite a bit of time each year in my home country, Canada. As much as I love Italy and Italian food, I can’t help but revisit some of my childhood favorites my mom used to make. Jam squares have always been a favorite and they happen to be one of the first cookie bars my mother ever learned how to make.

Jam bars offer everything: A shortbread crust, a sweet jam center, and a delicious brown sugar meringue topping. Of course, I put my spin on the original and make coconut jam squares. They are fabulous, and that is coming from someone who isn’t even crazy about coconut.

Easy Jam Squares

These delicious bars are made with simple ingredients and are very easy to make.

You can customize this recipe with different flavored jams. I like strawberry jam, but other sweet fruit preserves like apricot jam, blackberry, or raspberry jam are great, too. So, pick your favorite flavor to make it your own.

They’re a freezer-friendly treat, too. I can remember when my mother used to make these squares and then freeze them because you never knew when they would be needed. Back then, 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. They’re so easy I make them whenever I feel like it. Perks of being a baker!

The combination of the buttery shortbread crust, the flavor of the fruit center, and golden brown meringue topping are just the best. If you want a great cookie bar recipe, you need to give them a try.

Ingredients

Room temperature salted butter
Brown Sugar
Flour
Salt
Strawberry jam or other berry jam, like blackberry or raspberry jam.
Egg whites
Brown sugar
Vanilla
Flaked coconut

Recipe Steps

Make the topping first by beating egg whites in a medium bowl until they are stiff. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix well with a wooden spoon and then fold in the coconut. Set the mixture aside while you prepare the crust.

Making the meringue topping in a silver mixing bowl.

In a separate large bowl, sift the flour and salt.

In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter and then add the sugar. Mix the butter mixture well at medium speed and then gradually add the dry ingredients.

Whisked dry ingredients in a white bowl and creamed wet, mixed together.

Once combined, spread the dough and pack it lightly in square baking pan.

The base spread in the prepared square cake pan.

Spread a thin layer of the jam over the crust. Add the topping over the top of the jam. Bake the jam bars in the oven at 325°F (170°C) for approximately 35 minutes.

The base with jam on top and meringue topping.

Cool the jam squares in the pan before slicing them into bars.

I think sometimes the best foods are the ones that remind us of wonderful experiences we lived or give us the ability to produce amazing new memories that we will hold on to forever.

FAQs

How to store Coconut Jam Squares

Store the cookies in an airtight container, in the fridge they will keep for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.

How to freeze them.

They can also be frozen. Place in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between the layers. They will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge, then bring to room temperature to serve.

For me, these coconut jam squares embed the essence of both, past and future memories. So give them a try and enjoy!

2 Coconut jam squares stacked with one leaning and jam in glass jar with a silver spoon.

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