COCONUT SQUARES

COCONUT SQUARES FOR THE SHORTCRUST BASE 1 ¾ cup / 225g all purpose / plain flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 2 Tablespoons / 25g white granulated sugar ½ cup / 125g cold butter cubed 1 egg 1 Tablespoon / 15 ml ice water ½ cup / 160g apricot jam 10 red glace cherries halved FOR THE SWEET COCONUT FILLING 1 cup / 250ml water 1 cup / 220g white granulated sugar 2 ¾ cups / 280g shredded / desiccated coconut 3 eggs lightly beaten ¼ cup / 60g butter melted ¼ cup / 60ml milk 1 teaspoon / 5 ml vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking powder SHORTCRUST BASE Start by making the shortcrust base. Combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Using your fingertips, rub the cold butter well into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the iced water and beaten egg to the flour mixture and mix to form a soft dough. Place the dough in the refrigerator while you make the sweet coconut filling. SWEET COCONUT FILLING For the coconut filling, combine the water and sugar in a small pan and place on the stove turned up to medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then allow the syrup to boil for 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 5 minutes. Place the desiccated / shredded coconut in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled sugar syrup,beaten eggs, melted butter,vanilla extract, baking powder and milk. ASSEMBLING AND BAKING Preheat the oven to 356°F / 180°C. Line a 10×12 inch ( 25×30 cm ) swiss roll / jelly roll tin with parchment / baking paper extending over the sides of the pan. Press the shortcrust base evenly into the lined tin. The pressed shortcrust should be about 3mm thick covering the base of the tin. Brush apricot jam evenly over the pastry. SEE NOTE 1 Spread the sweet coconut filling mix over the jam brushed base. Place cherry halves over the coconut filling. Bake for between 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the tin before slicing into squares. Recipe Notes : To soften the jam so that is brushes easily, just place it into a bowl and pop it into the microwave for about 20 seconds. Be careful when taking the warmed jam out of the microwave, because it will be hot and can burn your hands