Coconut & Pecan Slice

Here in Australia we call it a slice...in America it is a "bar" but regardless of what you call it, this recipe is delicious.  I don't like coconut very much and I'm not a huge fan of nuts in food (I am actually a kind of an idiosyncratically ridiculous, picky eater with some things) but I love this slice.  It is rich and sweet, but just a lovely combination of flavors.  Everyone that eats this one wants the recipe...posting it here should lighten my work load.  Something different for folks who don't like chocolate but feel like a brownie sort of a sweet.


Crust:

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170C/340F .
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the flour and mix well.
3. Place the mixture in a parchment-lined 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan, pressing the mixture firmly onto the base of the pan to form a packed, even layer.
4. Bake the crust until lightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside until cool.


Filling:

Ingredients

2 cups light brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
2 cups pecan pieces, smooshed

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170 degrees C.
2. In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, vanilla and eggs well. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine the flour mixture with the egg mixture until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the coconut and pecan pieces.
4. Pour the filling over the cooled crust, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake until set, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool before cutting and serving.