Years ago, my mother included Time-Life American Regional Cookbook in my Christmas gift package. While long out of print, this cookbook is still available online. My copy is pretty ratty, but several of the recipes have become Hancock standards. Over the years, I have used it constantly, and one favorite recipe that I’ve adapted and upgraded to modern baking methods over the years is for Lollies which is a coconut pecan pie type bar cookie that my children (all grown now) devour. I have no idea why these rich, decadent bars came to be called Lollies, (according to Miriam Webster, the term is short for lollypop, and Lolly is a New Zealand word for confectionary), but these bars are neither, so I’m still clueless. Nevertheless, these easy bars are well-worth making, and they’ll be a hit no matter where they are served.


32 Bars or Squares

Crust:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour

Filling
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Line a 9 x 13" pan with parchment and spray with non-stick spray, or grease well with butter.
3. Crust: Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the flour and mix well.
5. Spread evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly colored and firm to the touch.
7. Topping: With the mixture on low speed, beat the eggs, baking powder, vanilla, and brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved (do not overbeat or turn the mixture to a faster speed; there should be no foam) and stir in the pecans and coconut.
8. Pour the topping over the baked cookie crust, and smooth the top evenly.
9. Return the pan to the oven and bake 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and firm.
10. Remove the pan from the oven, let the bars cool completely to room temperature before cutting into 32 bars or squares.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 86 Calories from Fat 44
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 51% Protein 5% Carb. 44%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 5 g 8%
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 21 mg
Sodium 44 mg
Total Carbohydrate 9 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 2%