Dessert Time! If you know me personally, you know how much I love coconut so I was thrilled I was approached by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to create a recipe that challenged me to experiment with different and interesting flavor pairings for blueberries beyond the typical pairing of blueberries with lemon. One of the selecting ingredients/flavors for paring was coconut so I knew right were I was headed. Although blueberries are amazing to eat by themselves for dessert, their deliciousness is only heightened by coconut!
Check out the website littlebluedynamos.com for more delicious blueberry ideas and if you make these for a holiday gathering or really any time of year, please let me know what you think!
Polka Dot Coconut Blueberry Bars
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup salted butter, cut in to cubes
Pinch salt
1 1/2 cups toasted unsweetened coconut, divided
2-8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1-13.5 oz can coconut milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 1/2 cups frozen high bush blueberries, tossed with one tablespoon flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9″ x 13″ inch baking dish with foil and set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse flour, confectioners sugar, cubed butter, salt and 1 cup toasted coconut until small crumbs form. Remove I cup flour/crust mixture from processor and set aside. Press remaining mixture evenly in to prepared pan and bake 18 – 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned on the edges. Mix remaining coconut with reserved flour/crust mixture.
Meanwhile, to the processor add cream cheese, coconut milk, cornstarch, egg yolks and extracts and salt and process until smooth. When crust is ready, pour filling over crust. Sprinkle blueberries over the filling and sprinkle coconut/crust mixture over the blueberries to cover.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely in the pan. When cool, remove bars by lifting foil out of pan and cut to desired portions. Enjoy!
laurielufkin
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