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Coconut cookies topped with sweet peach filling and crunchy coconut streusel
“Time is a thief when you’re undecided.”
Rod, (& Carmine, Duane and Kevin) I couldn’t have said it better.
& unfortunately, I know that all too well. From important life decisions to simple baking decisions, like what size pan to use, I always struggle with making a choice.
Just this past week, I paced the kitchen floor entirely too long trying to decide what kind of pan to bake cornbread in – a basic square dish, a muffin pan or a small tea loaf pan.
Originally, I was going to use a small loaf pan. But then I revisited my pics from another cornbread (debuting Summer ’17!) and thought it would be dull to use the same size for this new cornbread flavor.
I scoured the web for inspiration and thought using a square dish for classic cornbread pieces would be nice, but the pan was currently housing some banana crumb cake & I didn’t want to waste time washing the pan and relocating the treat (but, hello! Wouldn’t that have been easier?)
After making Jumbo Mixed Berry Banana Muffins, I thought maybe I could successfully showcase the cornbread as muffins. But I wasn’t sure how the batter would bake.
With all the options lined up, I continued to go back and forth on which pan to use.
Finally, I made a decision, but oh my goodness, how much time did I waste on that mundane decision?!?
I had a similar issue with this week’s treat. I made two peach recipes, but couldn’t pick which one to share. I was on the fence about sharing this one since I posted bars last week.
Another thing that made this super hard is I had to comb through over 300 pictures of these bars!!! The problem is I’m not the best photographer, duh, & I don’t really know what I’m doing, so I have to take a lot to ensure I get at least a few decent shots. But jeez, looking at 90 pictures of the same stack of bars and trying to pick one is super time consuming for someone who can’t make decisions!!
Alas, I finally selected some pics and which treat to share. These Peach Coconut Cookie Bars feature a coconut cookie crust, topped with a sweet peach filling and a coconut streusel. Peaches and coconut make the perfect flavor combo!
Do you have trouble making decisions?
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
- 3.5 cups peeled, sliced peaches - about 4 peaches
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp margarine
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp canola oil
Instructions
- To peel: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Cut a small 'x' in the bottom of each peach. Place peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds, then place in ice water. Peel peaches and slice. Place peaches in bowl, sprinkle with sugar, and stir until coated. Let peaches stand for 45 minutes to an hour. Drain peaches, saving juice.
- To a small saucepan, add cornstarch. Slowly add peach juice, stirring to incorporate after each addition. Once completely combined, bring mixture to a boil. Stir frequently. Once boiling, stir constantly until mixture thickens about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in peaches. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch square baking pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and grease again.
- In a measuring cup, combine coconut milk and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine canola oil, sugar and brown sugar. Once combined, add coconut milk mixture.
- Slowly add flour mixture to liquids. Once thoroughly mixed, fold in shredded coconut.
- Press mixture into prepared pan. Be sure to spread evenly and reach corners of pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients. Use fingers to incorporate, until mixture comes together.
- Spread peaches on top of cooked cookie. Sprinkle streusel on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees until fruit is bubbling and streusel is golden brown. Allow to cool completely. Slice into nine bars.
- Melt white chocolate at 50 percent power for 45 seconds. Stir until melted. Stir in canola oil. Transfer to a ziplock bag, cut a small piece off one corner. Zigzag chocolate over cooled and sliced bars.
Β 
It’s SO hard to decide on what pan to use. I agonize over it, too. So you are not alone!
These look DIVINE. I’m there!
Thanks Mir! I’m happy to hear I’m not the only baker with pan anxiety π
Well, I would say your baking pan experiment definitely worked – I so wish I had one of these to go with my breakfast tea!
These would be decadent for breakfast, but I’m game if you are π Thanks Kate!
Ok these bars need to become my breakfast (and dessert) soon! I’ve been buying peaches like crazy, so these cookie bars were made for me. I love the twist of coconut in here, too! Sounds perfect!
Peaches are the best – & with coconut? One of my new favorite combos! Thanks Gayle π
Yum, a sweet treat that uses all those fresh peach! Great idea to make the best of summer produce. Love summer!
Me too! Thanks Karen π
It’s afternoon tea time over here and I wish I could reach in an grab a couple of these beautiful cookies slices with my tea! Awesome!
They’d make the best afternoon snack! Thanks Angie π
Bahaha! You’re just like me! I HATE combing through the 100+ photos I end up taking! That’s why I don’t like editing…I can’t decide which ones I want and then end up putting like 8-10 photos in my post π O well….we all like looking at food, eh π
It takes me sooo long to choose! Glad I’m not the only one who has trouble π
What a wonderful peach treat,bet it would go great with a high grown oolong!
Sounds like a plan. Thanks John!
I love the fresh flavors in these bars, what a wonderful summer treat!
Thanks Manali!
I love peach and coconut too. And coming them in a cookie bar is a brilliant idea. I have fresh peaches and this is the perfect way to put it to use! Delicious.
You should definitely use some of your peaches to make these bars! Thanks Anu π
On decision-making: Megan, I feel ya! But sometimes you just have to pick one way and just do it. Lol. I’m also here to assure you that sharing two bars in a row is just delicious bliss for all of us. Plus, now you’ve got me in the bar mood. π Also, baking pan size-yup, been there. Sometimes I just go with whatever people might prefer for the season. Like, loaves in Fall, muffins in the Spring, etc. π Have a great week, my friend! Pinned, of course. xo
Thanks Demeter! I like the way you think π
Pan size is KEY, right?! These are big decisions…for very important treats!
Love this recipe, Megan! It’s peach season in Virginia right now, so my kitchen is stocked!
Ha ha! You are too funny. Thanks Blair π
I could eat way too many of those beauties. These bars do look scrumptious, Megan! Your photoβs look great too!
Aww – thanks Rahul!!
Haha yess!! I feel the same way especially with the bazillion photos and which one to choose:) These bars look ah-mazing and I love the peach and coconut combo!
It’s soo hard!! Thanks Kelly π
hahah okay so I would say no, that I can make decisions pretty well. BUT! My husband would SOOO disagree with that statement! lol He always tells me I think about things too long π But anyway, these bars sound amazing! I would love one and a cup of tea right now!
I definitely think about things way toooo long! I’d be more productive if I could make decisions quickly. Thanks Ashley π
Fresh peaches are the best! And I think I could put that drizzle on just about anything and be happy. π
I agree, Eva! Thank you π
OMG peach errrrryyythang! These look diving, girl!
Thanks Allie!! What will we do when peach season is over?!?!?
I have a deal to make with ya – how about I help you sort through your pictures and you pay me with a stack of these bars? I don’t think it’s a fair trade as I’d be getting way, way more out of our little dealio – but hey – what’s a bar or two ‘tween friends eh?! π From the cookie layer to the peach filling to that shredded coconut and brown sugar streusel and that white chocolate drizzle – these bars are simply fantastic! Downright decadent!
You are the best, Shashi! It’s a deal π Thanks!!
Oh my goodness, fresh peach season is the best time of the year and these look incredible! The coconut peach combo sounds amazing!
It’s definitely one of my new favorite combos. Thanks Aimee π
These bars look beyond swoon-worthy! I’m definitely loving the peach and coconut combination.
Thanks Rachel!! You are too sweet π
Lol, giiiirl we are cut from the same cloth because I can’t make a decision to save my life! Okay, if I HAD to make a split decision in a moments notice I COULD, but you feel me! Funny how much time we can waste on mundane decisions! I don’t take 300 photos, props to you for having that kind of patience(!), but I do take a lot… I have Boy choose the winners for me. Have you tried having someone else pic the winners? Like narrow it down to 20 and have someone else pick? I donno, just throwing it out there! ANYWAYS, I am obsessing over these bars!! I love cookie bars to begin with but, coconut cookies topped with peach filling and crunchy coconut streusel? HOLD ME! These look beyond! Pinned! Cheers, chicka!
Ha ha!! Thanks Cheyanne! I have considered getting help, but I’m worried I’d have a different opinion and be back at square one! Next time I’m drowning in pics, I’ll definitely send for a search and rescue team π
I just made some peach raspberry bars today! These look gorgeous my mom would love the coconut peach combo, must try these for her!
You should! While you do that, I’ll be trying a peach raspberry combo π Sounds delicious!!
These look like a winner….must have been the pan you picked π Don’t worry about having too many bars or too many of any one thing….if it’s good, then you need to share it! I love that these bars have fresh peaches! They are so good right now!
Aww – thanks Kathy! I agree π
You sound as indecisive as me π These look super yummy!
Yay! Team indecisive π Thanks Laura!!
OH MY!! Peach and coconut? That might be the only coconut pair I haven’t tried yet. Guess what I will be doing this weekend? yup, this looks like a must try π
You have to!! Thanks Zainab π
These photos look amazing, Megan! I totally know what you mean though. I sometimes go cross-eyed staring at tiny little differences in pics. I doubt anyone else would even notice, but I totally do! You picked the right ones though because these peach bars look amazing…and the coconut in there, too? Yes, please! I love that flavor combo!
You are too kind, David. I seriously had identical pictures lined up and it took forever trying to pick one!! In the future, I hope to be more efficient in my photo selection π Thank you!
It just so happens I have a big basket of fresh peaches sitting in my kitchen. Now they have this recipe written all over it! These look amazing!
Fresh peaches are the best & this recipe would be a great way to use them – if I do say so myself π
Seriously, I TOTALLY get it! I’m so hard with decision making sometimes. I try the flip a coin test, heads or tails. When the coin is in the air, I always ALWAYS know which side I want it to land on, then I choose that! I think you made all the right decisions with these coconut cookie bars – they are so delicious looking!
That’s a great technique, Jessica! I have to try it next time I’m in over my head with decision making π Thank you!