Caramel Walnut Fudge Bars

Submitted by evelynathens

"OK, these have to be tried to be believed - the base is a fudgey-brownie topped with a fantastic caramel and walnut (pecans or almonds can be subbed) concoction that you allow to set, not bake. These will be the first to go on the cookie tray."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 30 bars

ingredients

• Base

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1⁄2 cup cocoa powder
• 1⁄2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten lightly
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla

• Topping

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 1⁄3 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups walnuts or 3 cups pecans, toasted
• 1 tablespoon dark rum

directions

1. Make base: Line bottom of greased 13 X 9 inch pan with wax paper (cut to fit), grease paper.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and stir until smooth.
4. Remove from heat, beat in brown sugar and egg; stir in flour, salt and vanilla.
5. Spread in baking pan and bake for 10 minutes or just until firm to touch and pulls away slightly from sides.
6. Let cool.
7. Make topping: In a saucepan, melt butter; add brown sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring with a wooden spoon.
8. Boil, stirring occasionally, until it reaches hard-ball stage (250F).
9. Remove from heat and add cream and walnuts carefully, stirring gently.
10. Bring to a boil and boil until it reaches soft-ball stage (240F).
11. Remove from heat, let cool 1 minute, stir in rum.
12. Pour over base, spreading evenly.
13. Let cool, chill, covered with foil, 2 hours, or until firm.
14. Run a thin knife around edge of pan; turn out onto cutting board and cut into 30 bars.
15. Store bars, separated by sheets of wax paper, in an airtight container, chilled, for up to 1 week.

Reviews

[I'mPat]

Made this for DS recreation groups Christmas party and have just delivered it to them - well I'd hardly put it down and they just had to taste test before it went on the table. There were sighs of hmmmm and yummmm and if there were more stars to give you would be getting them. I got 38 bars (squares) out of the recipe and used pecans. Made for 123 Hit Wonders 2007D. Thank you evelyn/athens for a keeper.

 

[LAURIE]

OH MY GOSH!!! this recipe is so yummy. I made it up quickly for a potluck at work today, they were quick to make and even quicker to leave the plate! Two of my co-workers in the office were stealing them out of the frige B4 lunch and when they went on the potluck table, others were asking who made these? Usually there are desserts left over for our afternoon break...BUT NOT THESE!!! A couple of tips here: Grease the pan then cut the wax paper to fit the bottom only and grease the paper...I left mine a little too big and had trouble with the caramel sticking to the paper. I also had no rum or rum flavoring so I subbed 1 tsp butter flavoring and Im sure vanilla would be just as good. Before I realized I needed to toast the nuts it was time to add them so I just dumped them in, next time I will toast them while the base is baking so give them a more richer flavor...Evelyn these are the bomb and I cant wait to put them on my holiday trays and make them with pecans! THANX!!!!