Cashew-Butterscotch Bars

The classic combination of sweet and salty with a sophisticated marriage of rich cashews and creamy butterscotch. These would look pretty and inviting as part of an assortment, or wrapped up and tied with a bold colored ribbon as a holiday gift. (Recipe from a Land 'O Lakes cookie magazine.)

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 36 bars

Ingredients

• Crust

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Topping

• 1⁄4 cup light corn syrup
• 1  cup  butterscotch chips
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  tablespoon water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups cashew halves, and pieces

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350*F. Grease a 13x9" baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt; blend with an electric mixer on low speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Press the mixture into the prepared pan; bake 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the corn syrup, butterscotch chips, butter, water, and salt in a 2-qt. saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth (4-7 minutes).
5. Stir in the cashews until well coated.
6. Spread cashew mixture evenly over the hot crust; coninue baking 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool completely; cut into bars. Store airtight.