Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups super-fine blanched Almond Flour
- ¼ cup granulated Keto Sweetener (Erythritol/Monk Fruit blend)
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold, cubed Unsalted Butter (for crust)
- ¼ teaspoon Fine sea salt
- 4 oz full-fat Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup (½ stick) softened Unsalted Butter (for filling)
- ½ cup powdered Keto Sweetener (Erythritol/Monk Fruit blend)
- 1 Large Egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded Coconut
- ½ cup roughly chopped Macadamia Nuts
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, allowing enough overhang on two sides to use as 'slings' later.
- Combine Dry Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, granulated keto sweetener, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips (working quickly) to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the Crust: Transfer the crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Press the mixture down very firmly and evenly across the bottom of the pan using the bottom of a glass or a spatula.
- Blind Bake: Bake the crust for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside while preparing the filling. Do not turn the oven off.
- Cream the Filling Base: In a separate mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup softened butter, and powdered keto sweetener until the mixture is completely smooth and fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix at this stage.
- Fold in Solids: Gently fold in the unsweetened shredded coconut and the roughly chopped macadamia nuts using a rubber spatula.
- Assemble the Bars: Carefully spread the filling mixture evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes. The edges should look set, and the centre should be mostly firm with a slight wobble remaining.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool on a wire rack to room temperature (about 1 hour).
- Chill and Slice: Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours (or preferably 4 hours) until the bars are completely firm. Use the parchment paper sling to lift the block out, then cut into 16 squares using a large, sharp knife.