Coconut Creme Bars

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

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons margarine , softened

3 -4 teaspoons milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

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.

Yield: 36 bars.

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