Key Lime Coconut Bars
Martha Stewart Living, June/July 1994
Yield: 24 bars
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, plus additional for dusting the tops
6 large egg yolks
10 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
4 tsp grated key lime or regular lime zest, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Spread coconut on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes, tossing every 2 minutes to ensure even browning. Remove from oven; transfer to a plate to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar, and add half the toasted coconut . Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour-coconut mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Pat mixture into a 9 X 13 inch dish and bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, beat together egg yolks and condensed milk with a whisk until thick. Gradually beat in lime zest and juice. Pour into cooled crust, sprinkle with remaining toasted coconut, and bake until just hot, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely, then chill until ready to serve. Cut into squares. Before serving, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, and garnish with lime zest, if desired.