Pear Bars

I’m eternally seeking new desserts to offer at parties and gatherings, so I was excited to turn to this surprising pear bar with ginger and coconut. The treat is made by baking a simple cookie crust, topping it with a mixture of eggs, flour, fresh diced pears and coconut, and then baking it again. The recipe was contributed by Taste of Home community member Cora Dunlop of Boston Bar, British Columbia, who uses fresh pears and prefers to peel them. But you don’t have to peel them if you don’t want to; most pear peels become soft when cooked, and they’re full of nutrients. The recipe cooks in a 9-inch square pan, but if you want extra, you could always double it to serve as a dessert for potlucks or other gatherings.

Ingredients for Pear Bars

• Flour: All-purpose flour is just right for this recipe. You’ll use some to make the cookie crust, and a little bit more to help set the pear topping.
• Sugars: The base of the recipe is similar to shortbread, and you’ll make it with granulated sugar. The top layer contains brown sugar for extra flavor; either light or dark brown sugar works.
• Butter: There’s no salt in the crust—although there is some in the pear layer—so you could get away with using salted butter. Unsalted butter will work just as well.
• Eggs: If you bring your large eggs to room temperature first, they’ll mix into the other ingredients like a dream.
• Vanilla extract: Always use the best vanilla extract you can afford. Imitation vanilla isn’t as nuanced as the real thing.
• Baking powder: Since you’re only using a small amount, check your baking powder to ensure it hasn’t expired. You want all the lifting power you can get.
• Salt: A little salt balances out the sweetness of the dessert.
• Ginger: If you’d like, you can use a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to replace the 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger. Another fun option? Chop up candied ginger and mix it into the batter.
• Pears: Choose pears that hold up well in baking, such as Bosc pears. Look for tender fruit that isn’t mushy.
• Shredded coconut: A surprising and lovely addition, sweetened shredded coconut brings a little tropical mystique to the occasion. Use unsweetened coconut if you want to reduce the sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cookie crust

In a small bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Press the crust into a greased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake it at 350°F for 25 to 28 minutes or until it’s golden brown.

Step 2: Mix the fruit topping

In a small bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and ginger, and stir them into the egg mixture just until they’re moistened.

Gently mix in the diced pears and coconut.

Step 3: Bake the bars

Spread the filling over the still-warm crust. Bake it for 20 to 23 minutes longer, or until it’s golden brown. Cool it on a wire rack. Once it’s cool, cut it into bars.

Pear Bars Variations

• Try an apple variation: Apples would be a lovely substitute for the pears, and would complement the ginger and coconut well. For the best flavor, seek out heirloom apple varieties.
• Add more spice: The base recipe calls for ginger powder, but you can sprinkle in cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice or cloves.
• Include nuts: To make these bars more hearty, mix walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds or almonds into the batter at the same time as the pears and coconut.
• Drizzle on a topping: Salted caramel sauce would be a perfect complement to these bars, but a lemon glaze would also be a great option, as would lightly sweetened whipped cream.
  

How to Store Pear Bars

These bars will be freshest if stored in the fridge. Place the leftover cut bars in a single layer in an airtight container, or store them, covered, in the baking pan. They’ll last up to four days.

Can you freeze pear bars?

Yes, you can freeze pear bars. Once they’re cool, wrap them individually, or carefully stack them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Eat them within three months.

Pear Bars Tips

Should you serve pear bars warm or at room temperature?

There’s really no way to go wrong with these bars. If you want to enjoy them warm, pop them into a 350° oven for a few minutes, or heat them very briefly in the microwave.

How do you get clean pear bar slices?

The trick to getting clean pear bar slices is to use a sharp knife and to wipe it clean with warm water between cuts. A serrated bread knife is a good option for clean slices.