Walnut Maple Bar

Last Saturday Minch wanted bake something. She printed a few recipes from the net and then we went out to get the ingredients from Harp Key.

Minch used the remainder of her maple syrup to make this bar. She hoped it wouldn't be a failure because the maple syrup was given to her by someone who bought it in America. Over here a bottle of maple syrup is very expensive.

It is a simple recipe and she didn't want to put the cream cheese topping. It still tasted good but a little on the sweet side even though we lessen the sugar by half.

I have given the recipe back to her and somehow couldn't find the same one online. Here's a recipe which is almost similar. Do try it.

This walnut maple bar recipe is as unique as it is flavorful. Maple syrup and brown sugar, with cream cheese icing, is a great taste combination.

Ingredients

Bars:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened>BR> 1 cup pure maple sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 ounces walnuts, chopped (about 1 cup)

Maple Frosting:
1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Walnut halves

Hardware
Whisk
Spatula
Medium bowl
Large bowl
8x8 inch baking pan
Mixer

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.

Make Bars:
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda; set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend sugar and butter to form a grainy paste, scraping down side of bowl as needed.
Step 3: Add maple syrup, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth
Step 4: Add flour mixture and walnuts, and blend at low speed until just combined.
Step 5: Pour batter into prepared baking pan and smooth with spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool completely before icing.

Make Frosting:
Step 1: In a medium bowl, cream together cheese and butter with an electric mixer on high speed.
Step 2: Add brown sugar and maple syrup, and beat until smooth.
Step 3: Reduce mixer speed and add powdered sugar. Once sugar is incorporated increase to high speed, mix until smooth. If frosting appears thin, gradually add powdered sugar until frosting thickens.
Step 4: Using a spatula spread frosting evenly on top of bars. Top each bar with walnut half.

The walnut maple bar recipe makes 20 bars.

This recipe was taken from here.