Pineapple Bliss Bars

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Need a sunny escape from the everyday? Just one blissful bite of these pineapple bars will instantly transport you to an island-inspired happy place. They’re bright, buttery and absolutely bursting with all the vibrant sweet-tart flavors you’d expect from the tropics.

From their crumbly, soft shortbread base to the ooey-gooey pineapple filling on top, these pineapple bliss bars are pure nostalgic comfort food with a gloriously sunny twist. While humble in appearance, their flavors are downright rapture-inducing for any pineapple lover out there.

The genius is in the simple method. You’ll start by whipping up an easy press-in shortbread crust using flour, sugar, butter and a touch of salt. After it’s par-baked to golden perfection, you’ll smother it with a decadent, ultra-gooey pineapple topping made by combining eggs, sugar, flour and – of course – plenty of lusciously crushed pineapple.

As it bakes up, that pineapple filling transforms into the most heavenly sweet-tart cloud punctuated with bursts of tangy-sweet pineapple in every single bite. The contrast against that buttery, crumbly shortbread crust is simply sublime.

Once cooled to molten-gooey perfection, all you need is a snowy dusting of powdered sugar on top for a gorgeous island-inspired presentation. You could even up the tropical vibes further by garnishing each bar with a pineapple wedge or toasted shredded coconut.

While glorious unadorned straight from the pan, these pineapple bliss bars can be easily dressed up or down for casual or fancy fêtes. Serve them up with a tropical fruit salad, creamy coconut custard or scoops of pineapple sorbet for a casual backyard barbecue or luau party. For a stunning dessert platter, the bars look positively elegant when plated alongside coconut macarons, mango panna cotta and candied edible flowers.

However you serve them, these pineapple bliss bars are guaranteed to put a smile on every face and satisfy any sweet-tooth longing for a taste of the tropics. Their bright, sunny essence in both flavor and presentation channels serious warm weather, free-spirited vibes even in the depths of winter.

While simple to bake, these bars are remarkably stunning in their nostalgic, ultra-sweet and buttery pineapple indulgence. Each blissful bite is a vacation for your tastebuds and senses. A tropically-inspired oasis you’ll want to return to again and again!

Pineapple Bliss Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crust: In a bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool slightly.
4. Make the pineapple filling: In a bowl, whisk the eggs and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in 1/4 cup flour, baking powder and vanilla. Fold in the drained crushed pineapple.
5. Pour the pineapple filling evenly over the crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set on the edges.
6. Allow bars to cool completely in pan. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing into squares.

Notes:

• For extra tropical vibes, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the filling.
• Garnish bars with pineapple slices or toasted coconut if desired.
• Bars can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Allow to come to room temp before serving.

These gooey, crumbly, pineapple-packed bliss bars will give you a serious taste of warm weather tropical vibes no matter the season! Pure nostalgic citrus-y heaven.