Dreamy Coconut Squares Recipe: Sweet Paradise in Every Bite

Mouthwatering coconut squares dance between sweet indulgence and tropical paradise, promising a delectable treat that melts in your mouth.

Soft, buttery layers combine with shredded coconut to create a dessert that whispers of island breezes and sunny afternoons.

The golden edges hint at a perfectly caramelized texture that beckons you closer.

Delicate and rich, these squares offer a simple yet sophisticated flavor profile that elevates any dessert spread.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle coconut essence.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this irresistible recipe with just a few basic ingredients.

These coconut squares will become your new go-to dessert for every occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 32 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes

Calories: 157 kcal

Servings: 13

Coconut Squares: What You’ll Need to Get Started

• Soft Butter: Ensures a rich, creamy texture and adds luxurious flavor to the shortbread foundation.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps create a golden, crisp base.
• Flour: Provides structure and creates the classic shortbread crumbly texture.
• Grated Coconut: Introduces a tropical twist and adds delightful texture to the base.

• Eggs: Bind the cream and create a silky, smooth custard-like consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps achieve a glossy, light texture.
• Flour: Stabilizes the cream and helps it set perfectly during baking.
• Passion Fruit Puree: Delivers a tangy, vibrant tropical flavor that brightens the entire dessert.

• Grated Coconut: Sprinkled on top for a decorative finish and extra coconut crunch.

Baking Tools to Make Coconut Squares a Breeze

• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs smoothly.
• Mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients and preparing different components.
• 20 x 20 cm baking mold or frame: Creates the perfect square shape for your dessert.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Aluminum foil: Helpful for lining the bottom of the baking tray if using a frame.
• Fork: Used to prick the shortbread base before baking.
• Wire rack: Helps cool the dessert evenly after baking.
• Measuring scale: Accurate for precise ingredient measurements.
• Grater: Needed for grating coconut.

How to Prepare and Bake Coconut Squares

• Buttery Base

Create a delightful shortbread foundation using soft butter, brown sugar, flour, and grated coconut. Blend ingredients until they form a smooth, cohesive mixture that promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

• Baking Preparation

Spread the shortbread mixture into a lined baking pan, ensuring an even surface. Use a fork to gently puncture the entire layer, which helps prevent unwanted rising during baking.

• Initial Baking Stage

Warm the oven and bake the coconut base until it turns a beautiful golden color. This creates a sturdy platform for the luscious passion fruit layer that follows.

• Passion Fruit Cream

Whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, and vibrant passion fruit puree to create a silky, tropical cream. This layer will transform the simple shortbread into an extraordinary dessert.

• Final Baking

Pour the passion fruit cream over the golden shortbread base. Return to the oven for a second bake, allowing the layers to meld into a harmonious treat.

• Cooling and Finishing

Once baked, remove from the oven and let the dessert cool completely. Sprinkle additional coconut on top for extra texture and visual appeal. Cut into elegant squares ready to delight.

• Storage

Keep the coconut squares chilled until serving to maintain their perfect texture and flavor integrity.

Creative Add-Ins for Your Coconut Squares

• Replace passion fruit with mango, guava, or lemon curd for a different tropical twist that matches the coconut base perfectly.
• Substitute regular flour with almond or coconut flour to create a delicious gluten-free version without compromising texture.
• Toast grated coconut before adding to the base and topping to intensify the nutty, rich coconut taste and add extra crunch.
• Reduce sugar for a less sweet dessert or add a drizzle of dark chocolate ganache for more decadent flavor complexity.
• Chill the dessert completely before slicing with a sharp, heated knife to get clean, precise squares that look professionally made.

Ways to Serve Coconut Squares for Any Occasion

• Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair these coconut squares with a refreshing passion fruit mimosa or light tropical smoothie for a zesty morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange squares on a white ceramic plate, dust with extra coconut, and garnish with fresh passion fruit seeds or mint leaves for a sophisticated presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve alongside light chamomile tea or cold brew coffee, creating a perfect balance between the creamy passion fruit and delicate coconut flavors for a relaxed gathering.
• Summer Party Centerpiece: Cut squares into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy sharing at poolside gatherings or summer potlucks, allowing guests to enjoy a delectable tropical-inspired dessert.

How to Store Coconut Squares Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigeration Sanctuary: Keep these delightful coconut squares nestled in an airtight container within the refrigerator, maintaining their luscious texture and vibrant flavors for up to 4 days.
• Chilled Perfection Technique: Allow the squares to reach room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving, enhancing their smooth consistency and releasing the full tropical taste profile.
• Freezing Magic Trick: Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to extend their enjoyment for up to 3 weeks without compromising quality or taste.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Layer squares between parchment paper sheets when storing to prevent sticking, ensuring each piece remains picture-perfect and ready to delight taste buds at a moment's notice.

Dreamy Coconut Squares

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Scrumptious coconut squares deliver Brazilian dessert magic with layers of creamy coconut and sweet condensed milk. Rich tropical flavors promise a delightful escape to Brazilian culinary traditions you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 150 g (5.3 oz) passion fruit puree or juice
• 100 g (3.5 oz) eggs (about 2 eggs)
• 125 g (4.4 oz) flour
• 90 g (3.2 oz) soft demi-sel butter
• 85 g (3 oz) granulated sugar
• 40 g (1.4 oz) brown sugar
• 20 g (0.7 oz) grated coconut
• 18 g (0.6 oz) flour

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Instructions

1. Pan Preparation: Line a 20 x 20 cm baking pan completely with parchment paper, covering bottom and sides meticulously.
2. Base Creation: Cream butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer until smooth, then fold in flour and grated coconut to form a cohesive dough.
3. Initial Baking: Press dough evenly into the pan, puncture surface with a fork, and bake at 175°C for 16 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
4. Cream Preparation: Whisk eggs and sugar until light and frothy, then gently blend in flour and passion fruit puree, ensuring a smooth consistency.
5. Final Assembly: Lower oven temperature to 160°C, pour passion fruit cream over the partially baked shortbread base, and bake for an additional 16 minutes.
6. Finishing Touches: Cool completely on a wire rack, sprinkle with extra grated coconut, slice into elegant squares, and refrigerate if not serving immediately.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Line the baking pan completely with parchment paper, allowing extra overhang for easy lifting and clean removal of the dessert.
• Mixing Magic: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy to create a smooth, uniform base that ensures perfect texture in the shortbread layer.
• Prevent Bubbling: Use a fork to poke multiple holes in the shortbread base before baking, which helps prevent unwanted rising and creates a more stable foundation.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the squares after cooling to help set the passion fruit cream and enhance the overall flavor intensity, making the dessert more refreshing and stable.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 157
• Sugar: 9.5 g
• Sodium: 67 mg
• Fat: 7.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.4 g
• Protein: 3.3 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg