Piña Colada Blondie Bars
A taste of the tropics in a sweet little square.
I can’t say enough about this tropical-inspired treat. It’s got the perfect chewy consistency required of a blondie, but it’s not as sweet as you might think. I’ve also made it with and without the cherries (I prefer without), and also played with the cuts on the dried pineapple (roughly chopped is the best).
The one ingredient that is absolutely crucial is the macadamia nuts— these nutty little gems bring all the flavours together for that perfect tropical treat. As one person told me, “They taste like Hawaii!” Sounds like paradise to me. —CFG
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground sea salt
1 cup dried pineapple, roughly chopped
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/3 cup roughly chopped candied maraschino cherries (optional)
2/3 cup butter, melted
2 cups brown sugar , packed
2 eggs
1 tbsp, plus 1 tsp coconut extract
2 tbsp coconut rum
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F
In a medium mixing bowl sift together 2 cups of all purpose flour, 1 tsp of baking power, 1/4 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp of ground sea salt.
To the dry mixture add 3/4 cup of sweetened shredded coconut, 1 cup dried pineapple, roughly chopped, 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped, and 1/3 cup roughly chopped candied maraschino cherries (optional). Set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt 2/3 cup of butter. Cool slightly and then add 2 cups of packed brown sugar.
2 eggs
1 tbsp, plus 1 tsp coconut extract
2 tbsp coconut rum
In a large mixing bowl/stand mixer add 2 eggs and mix together with 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp coconut extract and 2 tbsp of coconut rum and blend. Next, add in brown sugar/butter mixture and mix ingredients full blended.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients mixture, mixing all ingredients just until combined.
Transfer the batter to an 10x10” greased pan. (You can also skip the grease by lining the pan with a piece of parchment paper.)
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the blondies cool completely, then remove from pan. Cut into desired size and serve.
Serve and enjoy!
