Coconut Bars

Coconut Bars

1 c butter, softened, separated
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 T [light] sour cream
1 1/2 t vanilla, separated
1 1/2 t coconut extract, separated
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t + pinch salt

1 c shredded coconut, toasted
2 c powdered sugar

2-3 T half & half (or milk)

1. Preheat oven to 375*; line a 9x13 with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a stand mixer, cream together 1/2 cup butter and sugar; add eggs, sour cream, 1 t vanilla, and 1 t coconut extract. Mix until well combined.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and 1/2 t salt. Press dough into pan and poke several times with a fork.
4. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned on edges; cool completely.
5. In a medium bowl, beat together remaining 1/2 cup butter, powdered sugar, and half & half until light and fluffy; whip in remaining 1/2 t vanilla, 1/2 t coconut extract, and pinch of salt.
6. Fold in toasted coconut, reserving about 1/4 cup; spread frosting over bars and sprinkle with reserved coconut.

White Arugula Pizza

White Arugula Pizza
12 oz refrigerated pizza dough
2 t olive oil
6 cloves garlic, crushed
2/3 c ricotta cheese
2 T mayonnaise
1 t thyme
1/4 t pepper
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
1/4 c Mozzarella cheese
1 t fresh lemon juice
1 t balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 c baby arugula


1. Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500*; bring dough out of fridge.
2. Heat a small pan over medium heat and add oil; add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Remove garlic with slotted spoon and reserve oil.
3. Combine garlic, ricotta, mayonnaise, thyme, pepper, and Parmesan in a medium bowl and mix until almost smooth.
4. On a floured surface, roll out dough to a little bit smaller than the pizza stone and pierce dough with a fork. Lay dough on the pizza stone and bake for 5 minutes.
5. Spread ricotta mixture on crust and sprinkle with Mozzarella; bake for 10 minutes until crust and cheese are lightly browned.
6. Combine reserved oil, lemon juice, and vinegar in a medium bowl; toss in arugula.
7. Top pizza with arugula mixture.