Syltkokosrutor (Finnish Jam and Coconut Squares)

Ingredients

Pastry

• 8 ounces butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup jam, your choice or jelly, for the filling your choice

Coconut Topping

• 5 egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. 2

   Mix the ingredients for the pastry and press it into a 13 X 9 inch, greased, pyrex baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes until almost done.

3. 3

   Stir together the ingredients for the coconut topping in a saucepan. Simmer while stirring until thick but still runny. The batter must not boil!

4. 4

   Remove pastry from oven after 20 minutes, and spread jam or jelly of your choice over the warm pastry. Drop the coconut mixture on top and level it with a spatula. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Return to oven and bake another 10 minutes (the coconut mixture should set slightly and become golden brown).

5. 5

   Cut into squares while still warm and cool completely in pan.