Recipe: Coconut Almond Bars (with butter and brown sugar crust)

COCONUT ALMOND BARS



1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided use
3/4 cup dark OR light brown sugar, divided use
1/2 cup butter OR margarine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Argo Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup Karo Dark OR Light Corn Syrup
1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut (toasted, if desired)
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

TO PREPARE THE CRUST:
Combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Press mixture into a 13x9-inch baking pan or dish.

Bake 10 to 13 minutes until crust is very lightly browned.

MEANWHILE, TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
Mix the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, remaining 1 tablespoon flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat in eggs, corn syrup and vanilla.

Stir in coconut, almonds or walnuts and chocolate chips, if desired. Spread over partially baked crust.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Bake 17 to 20 minutes until set and lightly browned around edges. Cool before cutting into bars.

VARIATION:
To make Coconut Walnut Bars, substitute 1 cup chopped walnuts for the almonds.

Makes 24 bars
Source: Argo, ACH Food Companies, Inc.