Lilikoi Bars aka Passion Fruit Bars is a Hawaiian play on the classic lemon bars recipe, made with tart and floral passion fruit juice.
Recipe Update: There have been several comments where readers have said the crust was not cooked through with the original time allotted.
I have retested the recipe with pre-baking the crust for 25 minutes and have updated the recipe as well.
This is possibly one of the best deserts that I have ever made.
I’ve made lemon bars before, but a taste of the islands takes this to an entirely different flavor profile that I have not experienced since I moved from Hawaii.
Mom still lives there, and I shared with many of you on Facebook and Twitter that I arrived home one day last week to a HUGE box of fresh lilikoi (Hawaiian for passion fruit).
Now when I mean fresh, I mean fresh from HER tree!
Can you believe it? The fruity smell was permeating out of the box even before I opened it!
A Few Tips on Working with Fresh Passion Fruit
So let me tell you about this beautiful tropical fruit, lilikoi.
- The wrinklier it looks, the better and sweeter it is! So all that brown/wrinkle, that’s good stuff!
- There are seeds inside that are practically impossible to break, so best way to remove the pulp and juice is a quick swish in the food processor or blender. (Will explain.)
- Enjoy-lilikoi is AMAZING!
Lilikoi Bars, like Lemon Bars, but with a Hawaiian Twist
I had to pick the best desert possible to showcase this amazing and exotic fruit. I was thinking about lemon bars-how prefect are they. Tangy and sweet, a thick coating of fruit-this would fit perfectly for the
lilikoi-And there we have it-Lilikoi Bars were born.
I wish blogs had some type of taste-sensory mechanism; there is nothing quite like the flavor of passion fruit. This unique flavor is romantic and tart. The aroma and scent alone bring me right back to Hawaiian waters and fresh citrus trees. Tasting its juice is exotic and floral, you know that it is passion fruit and nothing else. A strong citrus bite, but one that puckers well with added sweetness.
Note* I made this using fresh lilikoi, if you can not find fresh lilikoi, I have used Goya brand that has passion fruit pulp and works just as well! You can find it at most Asian or Latin American stores.
To Make the Lilikoi Juice
1) First, let’s make the lilikoi juice. Cut eat fruit in half and scoop out the pulp and seeds and place in food processor or blender.
2) Pulse a few short times for no more than 30 seconds. This will pull the pulp away from the seeds and get more juice out.
3) Pour pulp into a sieve with a bowl underneath (1/2 c at a time) and use the back of spoon to push down on the pulp and juice. Reserve 1 cup of juice and discard seeds.
Now onto the Bars
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
3) Combine the flour and salt and with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed.
4) Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. (It will feel crumbly, but will come together the more you press into it.)
5) Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes (or speed it up in the freezer for 15 minutes).
6) Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the crust is pale and the edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool for another 15 minutes (sometimes I even place it in the fridge to help it cool down).
For the Filling
Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lilikoi juice, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool.
For the Lilikoi Glaze
1) Boil water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
2) Add passion fruit and lemon juice and boil for a further 3 minutes. It will boil rapidly and looks like it expanded.
3) Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will turn into a thick and sugary passion fruit syrup!
4) Allow to cool and drizzle over lilikoi bars!
Another hawaiian recipe:
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
A Taste of Aloha-Lilikoi Bars with Fresh Lilikoi Glaze
Ingredients
Crust
- 1/2 lb unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cup all purpose flour sifted
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
Filling
- 6 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 cup sugar
- 1 cup lilikoi juice about 10 lilikoi
- 1 cup flour
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
Glaze- adapted from here
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup lilikoi fruit juice about 6 lilikoi
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- First, make the lilikoi juice. Cut eat fruit in half and scoop out the pulp and seeds and place in food processor or blender.
- Pulse a few short times for no more than 30 seconds. This will pull the pulp away from the seeds and get more juice out.
- Pour pulp into a sieve? with a bowl underneath (1/2 c at a time) and use the back of spoon to push down on the pulp and juice. Reserve 1 cup of juice and discard seeds.
- Now onto the Bars. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Combine the flour and salt and with the mixer on low and mix until just combined.
- Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 baking pan building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides.
- Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes (or speed it up in the freezer for 15 minutes).
- Then bake crust for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. The crust should be light tan and the edges a lightly brown color. Remove from oven and let cool for another 15 minutes. (sometimes I'll stick it in the fridge to help cool down).
- For the filling, Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lilikoi juice, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour.
- Pour over the crust and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool.
- For the Lilikoi Glaze, boil water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add passion fruit and lemon juice and boil for a further 3 minutes. It will boil rapidly and looks like it expanded.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will turn into a thick and sugary passion fruit syrup.
- Allow to cool and drizzle over lilikoi bars.
Notes
I made this using fresh lilikoi, if you can not find fresh lilikoi, I have used Goya brand that has passion fruit pulp and works just as well! You can find it at most Asian or Latin American stores.
Passion Fruit Bars Recipe adapted from Ina Garten Lemon Bars
Nutrition
Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 78gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 61mgPotassium: 152mgFiber: 1gSugar: 54gVitamin A: 776IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know on Instagram!
Now for the Giveaway!
When my mom mailed me this box of passion fruit, it made me really miss Hawaii and I wanted to be able to share my love of Hawaii with all of you.
One of my favorite cook books, and one that my mom gave to me when I moved from Hawaii to Cali is “Another Taste of Aloha“. Last week I bought another copy to give away to one of my readers!
A little taste of the Tropics during the Holiday season!
Giveaway is now CLOSED
How To Enter:
- Write a comment below saying anything. Anything at all 🙂 (Please don’t comment as anonymous-leave your name so I can contact you if you win).
To receive additional entries, you can also:
- Like my Facebook page and leave a comment below telling me you did so (or let me know that you already do).
- Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment below telling me you did so (or let me know that you already do).
- Tweet about this giveaway: “Enter to win the “Another Taste of Aloha Cook Book” Giveaway hosted by @FerraroKitchen and leave a comment below saying you did so.
- Be sure to use separate comments for each entry!
Enjoy and Mele Kalikimaka!
Omg I love passion fruit and would love one of these bars right now! They sounds absolutely amazing. I really need to find somewhere that sells the pulp/concentrate! Your giveaway book looks so fun too! I'd love to win a Hawaii based book 🙂
I tweeted your giveaway!
I follow you on Twitter 🙂
This looks like a really interesting cook book! I'd love to win this. Thanks so much =)
I love passion fruit. and Their vibrant colors just brightens up any kind of dish.
Aloha Samantha! Those bars look AMAZING! How wonderful to get a box of fruit from home! I think it's a great idea to give away a cookbook from home too. Good luck with it!
I didn't know you were on Twitter! I'm a new follower! 🙂
Looks delicious. Would love for you to share this with us over at foodepix.com.
I love Lilikoi also. I wonder if you could get away with making these with lilikoi jam somehow? That's about all that I can find here on the East Coast.
I have followed you on FB, Twitter, and tweeted about your giveaway. Mahalo for such a yummy-looking recipe. I grew up in Aiea so I'd love to win this cookbook–I don't have it. 🙂
Aloha! (@AlohaKarina on Twitter)
lol I just realized I need to leave separate comments for each entry. So the other was for twitter…This one is for Facebook. (I really want to win this cookbook!) 🙂
And I tweeted your contest. 🙂 That's three entries…that's enough. I feel like I'm cheating! Aloha and Mahalo from Maine!
So lovely to have found you today. Your bars are gorgeous! Love your giveaway!! Congrats on Top 9 Samantha:)
Aren't junior league cookbooks the best?
Lilikoi my absolute favorite! My mouth was just watering looking at these pictures and reading the recipe.
Longing for a kailua passion right about now as well.
I will figure a way to make these even if I have to get my friend to send me some of her fresh lilikoi, like your mom did!
Jo
following you on twitter
liked on facebook as well
Growing up in the Virgin Islands, Passion Fruit has always been one of my favorites. This looks incredible!
liked you on facebook
FYI – my first comment is gone. Sorry you are having comment issues with Blogger.
I have not cooked with Lilikoi before but this has inspired me to give it a try. Thanks for the helpful information on seeding the fruit.
Woo! Congrats on Top 9! These look wonderful!
We're already fb friends 🙂
I already follow you on Twitter!
I'm going to Hawaii for Xmas! I'd love this to practice the cuisine 🙂
Fabulous recipe! Can't wait till my lilikoi ripen on my vine!
I follow you on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter!
I follow you on Pinterest. I lived in Hawaii and would love to win this cookbook : )
I shared you link on my page. Serious Food for the Soul.
These bars look amazing! I love that your mom sent you the fruit! Tropical desserts in the cold of winter are perfect!
What a wonderful mom you have. I would have loved to receive a box like that.
Then your recipe is just wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.
I like you on FB (as My Naturally Frugal Family)
I tweeted the giveaway (@rachelkyle0402)
i wanted to send a big mahalo out to you for the idea of pulsing the lilikoi in the food processor! for YEARS i have juiced lilikoi using my old standard methods of elbow grease, spoons, sieves and cheese cloth. the food processor technique was BRILLIANT! i had a batch of lilikoi to use and i was searching for new recipes to try out when i stumbled across your recipe. although i have a tried-and-true lilikoi bar recipe, your technique tips made my day! MAHALO NUI LOA!! and this recipe does look onolicious! =)
Aloha Lisa!!! Thank you so much! You made my day!! I miss lilikoi so much! So glad the food processor helped!
My wife and I are going to make these bars tomorrow, along with some key lime bars. Looks like you added powdered sugar before the glaze. Is that correct? Recipe looks terrific. Don’t have lemons here in Haiti so will use limes.
Hi Tom! Sorry I didn’t reply sooner, I just got back from traveling. Actually, it is either the powdered sugar OR the glaze, I think both would be too sweet (I’ll make the correction). Please let me know how they came out!
Liked on Facebook 🙂
Entering! I love lilikoi bars! Can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
Hi Laycie!! I’m so sorry, but the giveaway is closed! That post was from a few years ago 🙂 But thank you for liking me on Facebook and I hope you do try the recipe!
Could you clarify the directions for the glaze of the lilikoi bars? It says juice of 1/4 lemons. Does this mean juice of a quarter of a lemon, as in a lemon wedge? Or juice of 1 to 4 lemons?
Hi Linda! I meant a quarter-half of a lemon. So when making the glaze, I just cut the lemon and squeeze the juice in. Hope that helps!
These look and sound incredible!
Thank you!!!They are wonderful!
My brother and sister-in-law (who live in Hawaii) gave me the original “A Taste of Aloha” cookbook in the mid-80’s–love the recipes! We can get passion fruit juice in California–so I am going to try your recipe–it looks yummy.
Hi Lynne! I’m in Cali too and found Goya brand passion fruit! it doesn’t taste the same but does the trick! I also strained it after it defrosted! Have fun!
I love Lilikoi. It has been my passion the last 2 years since the grow ony yard( the red ones$) and my neighbors yellow ones. I pick th everyday on my walk! Would love a cookbook. Mahalo for sharing da Aloha.
Thanks for the tip!! Yes, I know! That post was made a few years ago!
I was wondering if someone was going to say that. Haha! Just made these last night with lilikoi from a friend’s vine. So good! Hope your travels bring you back to Hawaii! It’s a place that stays with you forever.
Aloha!
I am making lilikoi bars for a friends birthday on Monday. I picked the lilikoi off my neighbors vine so I will be making her a lilikoi cheesecake after I make the bars.
Mahalo from the Big Island of Hawaii
Roxanna Lopez
Aloha Roxanna!! I miss lilikoi so much!! Have fun baking 🙂
Can these bars be frozen?
Hi Barbara! I haven’t frozen them before but had refrigerated them for 2-3 days and they were great. I think freezing would be ok, but as they thaw there may be some condensation but taste shouldn’t be altered.
Good evening. I just wanted to share with you. My recipe is very similar to yours, with a few ‘quirks’!
In the crust, I add a scant handful of crushed toasted raw macadamia nuts. For the flour, I substitute 3/4 organic coconut flour for standard. I bake the crust first.
In the filling, I leave in the seeds for both nutritional and as the tickets contact.
Just wanted to share…
Thanks you for sharing! I love the addition of mac nuts!! Happy New Years!
Made these last night for book club…so glad we tasted them before we left- they were totally inedible! The crust was fine but the filling tasted like gummy raw flour. What a waste of wonderful homegrown Lilikoi.
So sorry that happened Haley 🙁 Do you have any questions about the recipe I can help figure out? I can assure you, I’ve made this exact recipe no less than dozens of times without failure.
Hi Haley! This is an incredibly late reply but I wanted to let you know that I retested the recipe and have updated the post and recipe as well. I pre-baked the crust for 25 minutes, let cool, added filling and cooked for 35-40 minutes. Bars are perfect..filling is set and crust is golden brown on the bottom. I hope you will try the recipe again..it really is wonderful.
I am sorry to say that I made these and it was a complete disaster. When I checked after 30 minutes, the bars were nowhere near done. It took almost an hour to set. Also, the crust crumbled into crumbs and was under-cooked, and separated from the filling. Also, the filling was like rubber, and tasteless. I followed your directions to the letter. I keep thinking I missed something. Are you sure it would be better to bake the crust first or cook the filling before putting it into the pan.
Janis, I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you. I am honest when I say I have never dealt with the issues that you just mentioned…ever and I have made the lilikoi bars no less than a dozen times. I would not recommend baking the filling beforehand because it seems like that would overcook the eggs. As far as the crust, after making the dough initially it is a bit crumbly, but with all the butter added and as you work it into the pan, it forms a cohesive crust. If you would like to email me, I’ll be happy to talk over the recipe with you and maybe find a solution togetehr? It really is one of my favs!
I had the same problem and took off the filling, pressed the crust down again and baked it for 25 mins until golden brown, then made another filling and poured it over the cooled crust. It’s in the oven now, looking much better than the pale white crust the first time around
aloha mai ka mokupuni nuiʻo Hawaiʻi. He nui nā lilikoi a puni iaʻu. ʻO kaʻala mai ko lākou pua nani e hoʻopiha i ka ea. ʻO Hawaiʻi kekahi wahi kūikawā loa no kaʻuhane e noho ai. . . makeʻoe i ka’āina. Ke hoʻouna aku nei au i nā manaʻo maikaʻi iāʻoe.
If you are looking for a lilikoi puree – DaVine Foods in Hawaii has an awesome one – no additives! https://www.davinehawaii.com/product/passion-fruit-puree/
I made these bars last night – the flavor is wonderful but the crust was nearly raw. I did what another commenter here did and scraped off the topping and baked the crust for another 30 minutes. That made it much better but of course the top was a scrambled mess to put back on since it had already been cooked. I went back and looked up Ina Garten’s lemon bars recipe from which this one said it is derived, and sure enough, Ina has you bake the crust separately for 30 minutes before putting the topping on and cooking that.
Hi Lyn! Thank you for commenting…I will definitely retest the recipe and make sure it is not raw. Though, so odd since I have made them a number of times with success. I’ll definitely retest and will notate it in my blog post and recipe. Thank you again and I am glad they turned out well in the end!
I have made these a handful of times and each time I do the filling is rubbery and separates from the undercooked crust. I followed your receipe to the letter
Hi Lily! I have never had that problem of rubberiness or the filling pulling apart. I use the same base for other “bars” on my site too. However, I plan on re-testing these and will follow up! Thank you for commenting.
I just made these for a pool party and they were a huge hit. Thank you so much for this recipe.
By the way, I should mention, I made it with Gluten Free Flour (Cup 4 Cup) and I did cook the crust first as I’m used to doing that for lemon bars.
Thank you so much for sharing your comment!
I am sorry my dear but this recipe is a disaster. It’s been 45 min and the filling is not set up at all and the crust is completely white. I have precooked crust always for lemon bars but thought you must know a better way! This will take at least an hour.
Yes in the picture you show powdered sugar topped with glaze. Well I am indeed sad as it took some work for the lilikoi juice etc and I am suspecting this is not a success! Will update if I am wrong. I am a good experienced cook and this is just too much liquid among other things. I enjoy reading your blog but you must be doing a few other things automatically and forgetting to tell us!
Hi Ann and thank you for your comment. I just retested the recipe and have updated the post adn recipe as well. I pre-baked the crust for 25 minutes, let cool, added filling and cooked for 35-40 minutes. Bars are perfect..filling is set adn crust is golden brown on the bottom. I hope you will try the recipe again..it really is wonderful.