Mango and coconut are the perfect tropical pairing in these creamy mango coconut mousse bars with a coconut shortbread crust.
Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

We survived The Move!!!

And we’re not even divorced!

Nor did we accidentally pack our child into a box and (gasp) leave her there!!

Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

(We totally packed her into a box temporarily though. For the photo opp. She loved it.)

(No, really. Highlight of her weekend.)

Celebration desserts are in order.

Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

This is actually my first time turning on my computer since SUNDAY.

It feels weird. Maybe I’m in withdrawal?

Maybe it’s just unpacking exhaustion. Hard to tell.

The apartment is slowly but surely coming together. We have about 1-2 boxes still left to unpack (mostly with the.boy’s stuff, don’t be shocked but unpacking is NOT his forte), many things still to bolt to the wall, and a heck of a lot of decorating to do. This apartment is HUGE with a lot of empty wall space to fill to make it really feel like home. Plus we hope to stay here for at least three years so it feels worth it to really dedicate some time to make it special. Any suggestions on good home decor inspiration sources would be MUCH APPRECIATED. Send them hither.

Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

So I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t let you know that in addition to celebrating the successful completion of the move, we are ALSO celebrating……….

…….MY GRADUATION!!

Yes, you can just call me Dr. Joanne, MD/PhD thank you very much. It’s been a long eight years and you guys have seen me THROUGH.IT.ALL.

Literally!!!!

We made it.

Now let’s eat some mango coconut mousse bars and PAR-TAY.

Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

These bars take a little bit of time because you have to make the crust and the mousse and let it set…but it’s worth it!!

The crust is a super simple coconut-infused shortbread. You basically make the dough, then refrigerate it and then grate it into the pan before baking. Kind of a weird technique but it does make for a super flaky buttery crust! The mango coconut mousse is a mixture of pureed mango, coconut milk. meringue, and whipped cream. So…best of all worlds?! Like I said, it’s a bit of a time commitment but the end result is light, refreshing, and bursting with tropical flavor. You won’t regret it.

Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust
 
Mango and coconut are the perfect tropical pairing in these creamy mango coconut mousse bars with a coconut shortbread crust.
Yield: 12-15 bars
Ingredients
For the crust
  • 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
For the mousse
  • 2 large ripe mangoes, peeled pitted and chopped
  • 4 oz canned cream of coconut
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 ¼ oz packet powdered gelatin
  • 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
  • 3 large egg whites
  • ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
  1. For the crust, combine the butter and sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat together with a wooden spoon until lightened and butter is completed incorporated. Add in the flour and mix until it starts to come together. Add in the coconut and salt. Mix with your fingers just until combined and crumbly. Pour into a piece of plastic wrap. Gather the corners of the plastic wrap and pull the dough together into a ball. Place in the refrigerator until firm, about 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Heat oven to 375F.
  3. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and grate into a 9x13-inch baking dish making sure it is scattered evenly in the pan. Place in the oven and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature.
  4. To make the mousse, puree the mangoes in a blender until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the solids that remain in the strainer and reserve the puree.
  5. Place the puree in a small saucepan. Stir in the coconut cream and salt. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top as evenly as possible. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  6. Heat mango-coconut mixture over medium heat, stirring, until the gelatin is completely dissolved and it is very hot. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  7. Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment beat the heavy cream to soft peaks then place in the refrigerator.
  8. Clean out the stand mixer bowl. Place in the egg whites and sugar into the stand mixer bowl. Fill a small saucepan with 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer. Set the mixer bowl with the egg whites over the bowl of simmering water making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Whisk constantly until the mixture is hot to the touch and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Place the bowl back on the stand mixer and, using the whisk attachment, beat on medium-high for 5 minutes or until the mixture has formed medium-firm peaks.
  9. Turn the mixer speed down to low. With the mixer running, pour the cooled mango-coconut mixture into the egg whites. Mix until just combined.
  10. Remove the whipped cream from the refrigerator. Fold half of it into the mango meringue to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining cream until no streaks remain. Pour over the cooled crust and spread it into an even layer with an offset spatula.
  11. Place in the refrigerator and chill until set, about 4 hours or overnight. Cut into 12-15 bars and serve chilled.
Notes
Recipe from Sugar Rush
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bar

 

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8 Responses to Creamy Mango Coconut Mousse Bars with a Coconut Shortbread Crust

  1. Ben Myhre says:

    I have been seeing too many tasty desserts lately and this is not helping.

  2. Pam says:

    Wow! Thinking back, I’ve been around for a lot of big milestones in your adult life…CONGRATULATIONS, Dr. Joanne, MD/PhD!!!! This lady is super proud of your achievements!!!

    I am glad to hear the move was successful. I bet you will settle in nicely and have it all decorated and homey in no time. The mango coconut mousse bars would be a HUGE hit with my kids… bookmarked.

  3. sarah says:

    congrats!! so exciting to be done, i’m sure. these bars look like a great way to celebrate!

  4. Kate says:

    Congratulations on BOTH your accomplishments!

  5. Tina says:

    That is wonderful news! I mean, both the apartment and your graduation but wow…really – 8 long years and now you are officially Dr. Joanne!!! I am happy for you. You achieved your goal after a long hard process and dedication and along the way found the love of your life and had a beautiful child.

    Well done, my lady!

  6. This looks delicious! Congrats on the move and the graduation!! xo

  7. Zainab says:

    Congratulations again!! So happy for you!! And I’m excited to follow along on the next journey. Hope residency starts off great too.

  8. Sheila K. says:

    Oh MY, it looks great! Can’t wait to cook em this Sunday!

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