Many a copy of JOY has been sold on the strength of this recipe. One fan says her family is sure these are the cakes St. Peter gives little children at the Gates of Heaven, to get them over the first pangs of homesickness.
The lemon glaze should be spread on warm cakes or Christmas cookies. It has a fine consistency for embedding decorative nuts and fruits.
Ingredients
Twelve 2 3/4 x 2 1/3-inch bars
Lemon glaze:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan lined with foil.
Step 2
Beat the butter, granulated sugar, 1 egg yolk, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla in a medium bowl until well blended.
Step 3
Stir in 3/4 cup of flour until well blended and smooth.
Step 4
Press the dough evenly into the baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, beat 2 eggs, light brown sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla in a medium bowl until well combined.
Step 5
Stir in nuts and coconut.
Step 6
Spread the mixture evenly over the hot baked crust. Bake until the top is firm and golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly wet, 20 to 25 minutes. Set the pan on a rack. If desired, while the bars are still warm, spread evenly with Lemon Glaze (recipe below).
Step 7
Let stand until the bars are cool and the glaze is set.
For lemon glaze:
Step 8
Beat confectioners' sugar, juice, and vanilla together until smooth.
Leave a Review
Reviews (5)
Back to TopI make these as written, coconut lemon glaze and all. The lemon glaze is just a subtle flavor but worth it. This recipe is perfection, no need to change it up.
llk73
Grand Rapids, MI
2/7/2021
This was a yummy, pecan-pie like bar cookie, but I would skip the lemon glaze. Sugary lemon glaze and pecan pie are not a match made in heaven.
sissboombah
Berkeley, CA
7/29/2013
I agree with other reviewers -- this recipe is heavenly. I made the pecan version of it as a Christmas dessert, and my family loved it.
Anonymous
Sudbury, MA
12/26/2010
this is an easy, delicious, never-fail recipe. the toasty, buttery crust in combination with the nutty filling is perfect. I have made both with the coconut and without. the coconut seems to melt into the filling and creates an extra flavor layer. i have made for 20 years and will continue to make forever as my go-to holiday cookie.
Anonymous
milwaukee, wi
12/11/2010
Although I've never used the coconut (Joy of Cooking gives extra pecans as an alternative), this is one of the best Christmas bars out there. They are easy to make and the travel well.
Coach_K
12/9/2010
