Coconut Squares

Ingredients

• 200 g All-purpose flour (Sift to avoid lumps)
• 100 g Powdered sugar (For the shortbread base)
• 100 g Grated coconut (Fine grated, unsweetened)
• 120 g Unsalted butter (At room temperature, cut into cubes)
• 100 g Granulated sugar (For the filling)
• 3 Eggs (At room temperature)
• 200 ml Thick crème fraîche (Minimum 30% fat)
• 1 Ugandan black vanilla bean (Scraped seeds, pod reserved)
• 30 g Flour (for the filling) (Helps the cream set)
• 200 g Fresh pineapple (Cut into small dice, rinsed in grated coconut)

Instructions

1. Prepare the base dough

   In a bowl, pour the flour, powdered sugar and grated coconut. Mix, add the cubed butter and work with fingertips until you obtain a homogeneous ball that releases from the sides.

   Time: PT10M

2. Chill

   Spread the dough in a 20 cm square pan lined with parchment paper, press firmly and smooth the surface. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

3. Bake the shortbread base

   Preheat the oven to 170 °C (fan oven). Bake the base for 15 minutes until lightly golden, almost white.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 170°C

4. Prepare the coconut filling

   In another bowl, whisk the sugar, the three eggs, the crème fraîche and the vanilla bean seeds until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Incorporate the grated coconut then the flour, mix again.

   Time: PT10M

5. Rest the filling

   Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes; the coconut will rehydrate and swell slightly.

   Time: PT15M

6. Bake the filling

   Pour the filling over the pre‑baked base and bake for 15 minutes at 190 °C until the top is golden and firm to the touch.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 190°C

7. Cool and unmold

   Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes), then gently remove the pan frame and cut into 25 squares with a sharp knife.

   Time: PT35M

8. Prepare coconut‑coated pineapple

   Cut the fresh pineapple into small dice, roll them in grated coconut, then place on each square.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

142

Protein

2 g

Carbohydrates

10 g

Fat

9 g

Fiber

0.7 g