Gooey Coconut Chocolate Bars

For 16 Bars (8X8-inch pan), Gooey Coconut Chocolate Bars keeps the list centered on baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside about 50 minutes.

• Yield 16 Bars (8X8-inch pan)
• Ready in 50 minutes
• Prep 15 minutes
• Cook 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the base

• ¾ cup ( 107 g ) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup ( 28 g ) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup ( 159 g ) sugar
• 4 tablespoons ( 57 g ) butter , melted
• 2 eggs , at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon coconut extract

For the topping

• 4 ounces ( 113 g ) cream cheese , at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons ( 57 g ) butter , at room temperature
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup ( 21 g ) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups ( 171 g ) powdered sugar
• 1 cup ( 85 g ) sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray an 8x8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides and spray the paper or foil with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined. Add the butter, egg, vanilla, and coconut extract and mix with a handheld electric mixer (or use a stand mixer) until the mixture is combined. Gently press or spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Set aside.
3. For the topping, cream together the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until light and smooth. Add the egg and mix well, then add the cocoa powder and vanilla and mix until well blended. Add the powdered sugar gradually while beating until the mixture is smooth. Fold in the coconut.
4. Dollop the topping evenly over the base and bake the bars for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are just set and the center is a little wobbly. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares. The bars taste wonderful chilled, by the way.

Cool the pan before you lift the squares.