Hawaiian Squares
Makes 36 bars

Ingredients

• Crust Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 - cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 - cup sugar
  • 3/4 - cup almonds, cashews and/or macadamia nuts, finely chopped
  • 1/2 - cup cold butter
• Filling Ingredients
  • 2 - cups sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 - can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 - package (6-ounce) dried tropical fruit mix, large pieces chopped, if necessary*

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and nuts.
2. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Pat mixture evenly into ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. While crust is browning, in a small bowl, stir together coconut and sweetened condensed milk.
6. Stir in dried fruit mix. Pour mixture over hot, partially baked crust.
7. Continue baking for 16 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and center is set.
8. Cool completely and cut into bars.

*Substitute 1 1/4 cups mixed dried fruit bits.

Alan’s Kitchen Tip:
Tropical fruits, once hard to find, are now exported in abundance to the United States. Typical tropical fruit varieties include mangoes, papayas, bananas, coconut and pineapple. Because these are fruits that dry well, their exotic flavors are intensified in their dried form, perfect for cookie baking!