Coconut Chews

This is a recipe that my mom got from a friend several years ago, and they have been a long time favorite of mine! I have never loved coconut, but I have always LOVED these coconut chews! (The only other coconut treat I like is Nanaimo bars)

Start by creaming together 3/4 cup of butter and 3/4 of icing sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Once the sugar and butter are creamed, blend in 1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.

Once the flour is blended in, press the the dough into a 13" by 9" pan and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes. Once the base is cooked, let it cool for 5 minutes.

While the base is cooling, mix together 2 eggs, 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 cup of chopped walnuts and 1 cup of flaked coconut in a medium-sized bowl. Spread the coconut and walnut mixture over the baked base layer and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.

When the coconut chews are done baking, let them cool before cutting them, otherwise the layers will detach. I cut the bars in to 24, but you could adjust this.

Coconut Chews
Ingredients:
Base Layer:
3/4 cup butter (softened) or shortening  
3/4 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour 

Coconut Topping:
2 eggs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut

Directions:
1. Cream shortening/ softened butter and icing sugar. Blend in flour and press into 13" x 9" x 2" . Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes and cool for 5 minutes once out of the oven.
2. Mix eggs, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, chopped walnuts and flaked coconut. Pour on top of the baked base layer, and spread until evenly distributed. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
3. Let the coconut chews cool before cutting otherwise the layers will detach.

Enjoy!
Kenzie