Description
Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a creamy coconut-lime cheesecake filling and a toasted coconut topping, offering a refreshing and tropical twist on classic cheesecake.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Lime Coconut Cheesecake Layer:
2 (8-ounce) blocks of cream cheese, room temperature
1 (14-ounce) can of cream of coconut
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
- Shortbread Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and coat with nonstick spray. In a stand mixer, combine butter and sugar for 1 minute, add vanilla, and mix for another 30 seconds. Gradually add flour and mix until just incorporated. Press dough into the pan and bake for 20 minutes, until lightly golden. Let it cool for 15 minutes.
- Lime Coconut Cheesecake Layer: Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add cream of coconut and mix for 1 minute. Add eggs, lime juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until evenly incorporated. Once the crust cools slightly, pour cheesecake mixture over the crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the edges are golden.
- Topping: Toast the coconut in a nonstick skillet over low heat, stirring frequently until golden.
- Once the cheesecake is done, remove it from the oven and sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Let the cheesecake cool for an hour, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight) to set.
Notes
- Lemon Coconut Bars: Replace lime juice with lemon juice for a citrusy twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in the crust for a gluten-free version.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tropical
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
