Festive Coconut Shortbread Squares
These festive shortbread squares are fabulous Christmas treats. The buttery shortbread crust is topped with a mixture of almonds, coconut, candied cherries, and sweetened condensed milk.
Ingredients
- Butter or baking spray, for the pan
- ¾ cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- ¾ tsp almond extract, divided use
- 1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped or sliced candied cherries, (green and/or red)
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan or spray it lightly with baking spray.Butter or baking spray
- Toast the Almonds: Put the almonds in a large dry skillet and heat over medium. Cook the almonds for 3 to 5 minutes or until they are lightly browned and aromatic, turning and stirring them constantly. Remove to a plate immediately to cool completely.3/4 cup slivered almonds
- Make and Bake the Shortbread Base: In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine the butter, flour, confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the almond extract; beat just until the mixture clumps together. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the crust mixture for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 20 minutes.1 cup butter | 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour | 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar | ½ tsp almond extract
- Combine Topping Ingredients: Combine the toasted almonds with the coconut and candied cherries. Toss with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract; sprinkle over the cooled crust.¼ tsp almond extract | 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut | 1 cup chopped or sliced candied cherries
- Add the Topping and Finish Baking: Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the coconut and almond mixture. Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- Serve and Enjoy: Chill in the refrigerator until firm, then cut into squares.
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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