Dream Squares

Dream Squares

These delicious squares are filled with walnuts, coconut and a whole lot of sweetness.

When buying coconut do you ever wonder whether you should use sweetened or unsweetened coconut in recipes?

While there is no hard rule, you will usually want to use sweetened coconut for sweet recipes, and unsweetened coconut for savoury dishes. You will find that sweetened shredded coconut is chewier than unsweetened coconut because it is drier and has a stronger taste.

Although it is a plant, coconut does contain saturated fat, which means it can go rancid. It is best to keep opened packages in your refrigerator and use within six months.

Dream Bars

I’m not sure why these are call dream squares, but maybe it is because you will find yourself dreaming about eating them after you try one. They are delicious and sure to be a big hit with your family.

Makes 12 squares

Base:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup soft butter

Filling:

2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sweetened coconut (*see note above)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F

For the base, mix together flour, sugar and salt into a medium-size bowl. Add butter and mix with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into an 8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

In another medium-sized bowl, mix the filling ingredients together and pour over the cooked base.

Return to the oven and bake until the filling is set, about 25 minutes. Cool.