Coconut Creme Bars

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 3 5/8 ounces french vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup coconut
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 3 -4 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350. grease 13x9 inch pan. in medium saucepan, combine pudding mix and 1 3/4 cups milk. bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. remove from heat; cool while preparing base.
• 2 in large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/2 cup margarine, half-and-half and almond extract at low speed until moistened. reserve 1 cup mixture for topping; spread remaining mixture in prepared pan. bake at 350 for 8 minutes.
• 3 spoon and spread pudding gently over base. add coconut to 1 cup reserve mixture; spoon teaspoonfuls evenly over pudding. sprinkle with almonds. return to oven and bake 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and coconut mixture is firm to touch.
• 4 in small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients adding enough milk for desired glaze consistency; blend until smooth. drizzle over warm bars. cool completely. cut into bars. store in refrigerator.