Sunday, July 6, 2014

Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars (Gluten Free Option)

Last weekend, we had a cookout with my hubby's family and I had volunteered to bring a dessert. At first, I was just planning to make my Almost Famous Banana Pudding because it is always a hit. However, it seems I always make that and I wanted to try something new, so I went to Pinterest.  

I wanted something light and very summer-y, so when I saw a recipe for Piña Colada Bars, pinned it. It was the perfect dessert because, when we go to the beach together every summer, we drive 30-45 minutes just to go to a particular restaurant and have some of their awesome piña coladas. This recipe would be reminiscent of our vacation time as well as very refreshing.

Unfortunately, when I went back a couple days later to make a list of ingredients I would need, the original site with recipe wouldn't open. I began googling "Piña Colada Bars" and found several recipes. Eventually, I combined a few of them to create my own version. It was easy to make and they turned out great!  (I was even able to make the gluten free for my mother-in-law!) I wanted to share the recipe with all of you and I hope that you can find an occasion to enjoy them this summer, too!

Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.~

Ingredients for Crust:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (**can use gluten free if desired**)
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 egg
Mix all ingredients together and press into a greased 11X8 inch rectangular pan.

Cheesecake Ingredients:
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 2 TBSP sugar
  • 2 TBSP milk
  • 1 tsp coconut extract (could use vanilla or rum flavor)
  • 1 egg
  • 1  1/2 cups crushed pineapple, drained (reserve juice for glaze)
  • 1  1/2 cups shredded coconut, plus 3/4 cup extra
In bowl, cream together the cream cheese, sugar, milk, extract, and egg with electric mixer.  Once blended, fold in the pineapple and coconut.  Pour mixture over the crust in pan and bake for 15 minutes.  Then, remove from oven and sprinkle extra coconut on top.  Return to oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until center is set.  (This toasts the coconut - YUM!) Remove and let cool.

Optional Glaze:
*If desired, you can make this glaze and drizzle over the top of the cooled bars.
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp coconut extract (or vanilla or rum extract)
  • 2 TBSP reserved pineapple juice
  • 1 tsp milk
Stir ingredients together.  Add a few spoonfuls of crushed (drained) pineapple, if available.  Drizzle over top of bars before serving.

  

12 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

I love anything Pina Colada, coconut, pineapple flavors, too. So, I totally pinned and will be trying these very soon indeed. Thank you seriously for sharing!!! :)

Tamara Bowman said...

Awesome! So summery and nice to make it gluten free. We have to do that for cookouts with my husband's work as two people there have Celiac.

Jenny @ Express Bus Mama said...

Looks delicious! I love Pina Coladas, in any form! Pinning this to remember for my next cookout.

The Dose of Reality said...

I am so impressed with you, Lisa. I always just bring the same old thing in spite of having hundreds of yummy things pinned on Pinterest...but you actually made one! Good for you! This looks delicious. In fact, I'm pinning it right now!! (maybe I will even make it!! WHOO HOO!) --Lisa

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

You're welcome! Hope you enjoy!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Then, this will be a big hit! My mother in law has Celiac and she loved them.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks for pining! Hope you enjoy them!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Ha! My hubby and father in law always request the banana pudding, so I go with it. This time, I just couldn't do it again, so I went out on a limb and it was great. I how you try them and you like them!

Katie Markey McLaughlin said...

These look majorly yummy! I think I even have all of the ingredients already, except for the coconut extract.

Chris Carter said...

Um... YUM!!! I am the WORST baker... but I might try this one! Pinning!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I am not much of a baker, either, but these were good!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

If you friend them, I hope you liked them!

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