Description
Tom Thumb Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery crust topped with a rich, coconut and nut filling. These bars blend the crunch of chopped walnuts or pecans with the sweetness of shredded coconut flakes and a caramel-like topping, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for gatherings, they offer a chewy, sweet treat that satisfies the craving for something both nutty and tropical.
Ingredients
Crust
- ⅔ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter with ⅔ cup dark brown sugar. Mix until well combined and creamy. Next, add 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt, mixing just until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
- Press and bake crust: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish. Use your hands or a spatula to press it evenly across the bottom, creating a thin, uniform layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 13 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is just beginning to turn a light golden color.
- Prepare the topping: While the crust bakes, prepare the topping mixture. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine 1 cup dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes light and airy.
- Add nuts and coconut: Gently fold 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans and 1 ¾ cups shredded sweetened coconut flakes into the topping batter, ensuring an even distribution without deflating the mixture.
- Assemble and bake: Once the crust is done, remove it from the oven and evenly spread the topping mixture over it. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping edges turn golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to firm up, making slicing easier. Once cooled, cut into 12 to 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and better crust texture.
- Make sure to cool bars completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans can be swapped based on preference or availability.
- To reduce sweetness, consider using unsweetened coconut flakes instead of sweetened.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- For a crispier crust, bake the crust a few minutes longer until golden but not burnt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American