Cherry Coconut Bars {traditional and gluten free recipes}

INGREDIENTS

Crust Ingredients:

1/2 cup

butter (melted)

1/2 cup

light brown sugar

1 cup

all purpose flour *

* Substitute 1/3 cup tapioca starch plus 2/3 cup brown rice flour for a gluten free recipe.

Filling Ingredients:

1 cup

pitted and diced fresh sweet cherries (about 2 cups worth whole cherries)

1 cup

shredded sweetened coconut

1/3 cup

light brown sugar

1/4 cup

all purpose flour **

1/4 tsp

kosher salt

eggs

2 tsp

almond extract

1 tbsp

fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 the juice of a small lemon)

** Substitute 1/4 cup brown rice flour for a gluten free recipe.

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup

shredded sweetened coconut