TROPICAL PINEAPPLE COCONUT BARS

TROPICAL PINEAPPLE COCONUT BARS 3 1/2 c. all purpose flour, divided 1 c. sweetened flaked coconut 1 c. firmly packed brown sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1 c. butter, divided 1 c. sugar 3 large eggs 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained well Garnish: toasted flaked coconut~ Don't forget! Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine 2½ cup flour, coconut, brown sugar and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in ½ cup of butter until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, beat remaining ½ cup butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixture until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in remaining 1 cup flour. Stir in pineapple. Spread mixture over baked layer. Sprinkle evenly with remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean. Add the toasted coconut to the top and allow to cool before cutting into squares.