Spicy Walnut Bars

invictus's Note:

I don't know that I would have called these spicy walnut bars had I named them but they indeed are walnut bars and they are good. I think that these would be equally good without the cream cheese frosting as a tasty snack cake. I used a 11x13 pan without any issues or changes and am confident that a 13x9 would be just fine as well with a bit of tweaking on cooking time.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 30 bars

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• ½ cup butter , softened
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 1 ½ cups walnuts , plus more for garnish
• 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
• ¼ cup butter , softened
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons milk or 3 tablespoons cream , enough to aid in spreading consistency

Directions:

1. 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
2. 2. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a bowl, stir together with whisk.
3. 3. Beat butter and sugar at medium speed for about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. 4. On low speet beat in half of flour mixture. Beat in sour cream and then remaining flour mixture. Fold in walnuts. Spread into prepared pan.
5. 5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until center is set.
6. 6. While bars are cooling blend softened cheese and butter in mixer. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat in enough cream to reach desired consistency. Spread on top of cooled bars and garnish with additional walnuts.