Maple-Walnut Squares

These are very easy and delicious! I added a teaspoon of (organic) maple flavoring to the topping - extra yum! From “The Four-Sided Cookie” (Bodger)

• Ready In: 1 hr 4 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 24 bars

Ingredients

• For the bottom layer

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup  cold unsalted butter, cut into pats

• For the topping

• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup  packedlight brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Directions for bottom layer:
2. Put the flour, brown sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process to combine.
3. Add the butter and process until mixture begins to clump, scraping down the bowl several times.
4. With moistened fingers, pat the dough evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 12 minutes, until dry-looking and firm to the touch.
6. Cool on a wire rack.
7. Directions for topping:
8. Put the eggs, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla in the food processor bowl (no need to clean it) and process until well blended.
9. Add the walnuts and pulse several times to combine and to chop the walnuts.
10. Pour the topping over the cooled dough in the pan.
11. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the topping is set, crisp, andbrown.
12. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack.
13. Cut into 24 bars.