Just about half a year ago, Dan and I were down, cruising around the Bahamas — and it didn’t take long for us to catch on to the island way of life.
We went snorkeling. We stayed up late dancing. We swam around in the crystal-clear water.
We lived in a continuous state of bliss.
Unfortunately, the honeymoon fun had to end and we went back to Kansas. We went back to school. We went back to a region with a legitimate winter. Now, as if I need any more reminders of why I would love to go back to the Bahamas, we’re getting our first snow.
But, in spite of the blustery winds and freezing temperatures, I’ve found a way to channel the islands — at least momentarily.
Island Cookie Bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Keywords: bake snack dessert vegetarian peanut butter white chocolate pineapple cake
Ingredients (32 bars)
- 1-3/4 C whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 t baking soda
- 1/4 t salt
- 3/4 C sugar
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 3/4 C natural peanut butter
- 1/4 C crushed pineapple, juices drained
- 2 T buttery spread
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 1-1/4 C white chocolate chips
- 1/2 C sweetened flaked coconut (note this will be saved until the end)
Instructions
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugars, peanut butter, pineapple, buttery spread and vanilla. Beat in the egg. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until completely combined. Fold in 1 C of the white chocolate chips, saving remaining 1/4 C.
With dampened hands, press the dough into a greased 9 x 13″ baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining white chocolate chips and press them down lightly.
Bake bars in a 350 degree oven for 22-25 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Put baking rack on the middle level. Turn oven to broil. Sprinkle coconut on top of the bars. Broil for 30-60 seconds, until coconut begins to brown. Be careful not to burn coconut!
Allow pan to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 32 bars.
One taste of these bars and it all comes rushing back…
I remember the feel of the water, the smell of the ocean breeze and — oh yeah — the sweltering heat.
Maybe I’ll just stay here and eat another bar. At least I have control of the thermostat.
Questions: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you wish to be? Are you a beach or mountain kind of person?
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