Lemon Coconut Delight Squares
Treat yourself and impress your guests with these delightful Lemon Coconut Delight Squares, a cherished family recipe perfect for any occasion. These bite-sized squares feature a buttery graham crust layered with a luscious blend of sweet coconut and crunchy pecans, all topped with a luscious homemade lemon icing that brings a zesty brightness to each bite. These squares not only look stunning on a holiday platter, but they taste even better! With a little hint of pale pink, they are a beautiful addition to any dessert table. Remember, using fresh lemon juice truly elevates the flavor, so skip the bottled stuff for the best results!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Graham wafer crumbs
2 cups
Butter (melted)
1/2 cup
Flour
1 tablespoon
Eaglebrand condensed milk
1 (300 ml) can
Fine coconut
2 cups
Pecans (chopped fine)
1/2 cup
Butter (softened)
3 tablespoons
Cream or half-and-half
1 1/2 tablespoons
Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 teaspoon (use a real lemon)
Icing sugar
1 1/2 cups
Food coloring
to preference (just enough to make a pale pink)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine graham wafer crumbs, melted butter, and flour. Stir until well blended.
3
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of the greased pan to form an even layer.
4
Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
5
For the topping, in a separate bowl, mix together the Eagle Brand condensed milk, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until evenly combined.
6
Spread the coconut mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
7
Increase the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Keep an eye on it to avoid overbaking.
8
Once baked, allow the squares to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
9
For the lemon icing, beat together softened butter, cream (or half-and-half), and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a medium bowl.
10
Gradually add in the icing sugar until you reach your desired consistency, adjusting with more icing sugar as needed.
11
Add just a few drops of food coloring until you achieve a pale pink hue.
12
Spread the lemon icing over the cooled squares, then cut into equal portions to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lemon Coconut Delight Squares?
They are a layered dessert featuring a buttery graham wafer crust, a coconut and pecan filling, and a zesty homemade lemon icing.
What ingredients are needed for the crust?
The crust requires 2 cups of graham wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup of melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of flour.
What size pan should I use for this recipe?
You should use a greased 9x9-inch baking pan.
At what temperature should I bake the crust?
The crust should be baked at 275°F (135°C) for 5 minutes.
What kind of coconut is best for these squares?
The recipe specifies using 2 cups of fine coconut for the best texture.
Which condensed milk is recommended?
The recipe suggests using one 300 ml can of Eagle Brand condensed milk.
What type of nuts are used in the filling?
The filling uses 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans for a crunchy texture.
Does the oven temperature change during the baking process?
Yes, after pre-baking the crust at 275°F, you should increase the temperature to 325°F (160°C) to bake the topping.
How long do the squares bake once the topping is added?
Bake the squares for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is lightly golden.
How do I prevent the squares from overbaking?
Keep a close eye on the oven during the final 20-25 minutes and remove them as soon as the top is lightly golden.
Should the squares be cooled before adding the icing?
Yes, you must allow the squares to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before applying the lemon icing.
What ingredients are in the lemon icing?
The icing is made from softened butter, cream or half-and-half, fresh lemon juice, icing sugar, and a bit of food coloring.
Can I use bottled lemon juice for the icing?
It is highly recommended to use freshly squeezed lemon juice as it significantly elevates the flavor compared to bottled juice.
How do I achieve the pale pink color mentioned in the description?
Add just a few drops of food coloring to the icing mixture until you reach your desired shade of pale pink.
How do I adjust the consistency of the lemon icing?
Gradually add icing sugar to the mixture until you reach your preferred thickness.
What is the best way to mix the topping?
In a separate bowl, stir together the condensed milk, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until they are evenly combined.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home bakers.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The pecans should be chopped fine before being added to the coconut mixture.
What is the first step of the recipe?
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) and grease your baking pan.
How much butter is needed for the icing?
You will need 3 tablespoons of softened butter for the icing.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for either cream or half-and-half in the icing.
How many cups of icing sugar are required?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of icing sugar, though you can adjust for consistency.
Are these squares suitable for holidays?
Yes, they are described as a cherished family recipe that looks stunning on holiday platters.
How should the crust mixture be placed in the pan?
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the base of the greased pan to form an even layer.
What does the lemon juice add to the recipe?
It provides a zesty brightness that balances the sweetness of the coconut and condensed milk.
How do you serve the Lemon Coconut Delight Squares?
Once the icing is spread and set, cut the slab into equal portions or bite-sized squares.
How much lemon juice is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, squares, lemon, coconut, holiday treat, family recipe, sweet, and easy recipe.
What is the texture of the finished squares?
They feature a buttery crust, a luscious and crunchy middle layer, and a smooth icing top.
Can I use a different nut instead of pecans?
While the recipe specifies pecans, you could likely substitute another nut, though pecans provide a specific crunch and flavor.