Tropical Dream Bars *Southernplate

By srumbel

I am not allowed to make these bars unless I happen to be driving in the proximity of her house.
from southernplate.com

Ingredients

• 20 golden Oreo cookies (or generic version)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temp
• 8 ounce whipped topping, thawed
• 8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3.4 ounce package coconut cream instant pudding mix

Preparation

Step 1

Line an 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil or waxed paper and set aside.

In a large food processor, add the oreos and butter and pulse them until finely crumbed up and combined. *You can also do this in a ziplock bag if you crush them really well with a meat mallet and just work a little harder to get them all mixed up with the butter. Mama usually uses her little electric chopper and just adds a few cookies at a time along with a little butter each time. Either way you go, get those crushed and mixed with the butter and then press the mixture into the bottom of your prepared dish.

In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, half of the whipped topping, powdered sugar and the pineapple (drained). Beat until well blended. Spread the mixture over the cookie base.

In the same bowl, (no need to wash it) combine the milk and coconut pudding mix. Beat together with an electric mixer (you can use the same beaters you used in previous step without washing them) or a wire whisk until well combined. Allow to sit for a little bit to thicken, about five minutes.

Once thickened, spread the pudding mixture over the top of the cream cheese layer.

Spread the remaining of your whipped topping all across the top. Garnish with the shredded coconut. Refrigerate for a few hours to allow them to set up fully before cutting and serving. Top with a cherry.