Raspberry Shortbread Bars are breathtaking! These heavenly bars have a delicious shortbread crust, topped with a raspberry preserve layer & a coconut (macaroon-type) layer. They're perfect for holiday parties and baking.
Spray a 9x13” baking pan or dish with cooking spray.
To make crust: mix flour, baking powder in a medium mixing bowl.
Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add egg and milk (or half-and-half) and stir to combine.
Press mixture firmly into bottom of prepared pan with fork or hands.
Spread raspberry preserves on top of crust layer to within ¼ to ½ inch of border.
TOPPING:
To make topping: Beat egg with fork or whisk.
Stir in granulated sugar, vanilla, butter and coconut.
This is kind of like a macaroon layer.
Dollop topping over top of preserves covering surface entirely.
Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until lightly browned and preserves are set.
Cool completely before cutting.
Notes
NOTE: I usually freeze the bars for an hour or two before cutting. I invert the whole pan on a large cutting board, turn over in one piece, and then cut into bars with a heavy-duty pizza cutter for straight edges.
Recipe adapted from Willard Scott, formerly NBC Today show weatherman and comedian.