Heavenly Maple Nut Bars

I'm just going to cut to the chase and say that these are deliciously amazing, and perfect for fall. It takes a lot for me to be extremely proud of myself, but today, that's exactly what I am. Full of nuts, and creamy caramel-ish flavored chewy-ness that is so deep and rich you'll have to close your eyes to concentrate while you chew:) What do you think?

I said when I first started sharing recipes with you on this blog that I would only share the most delicious and easy recipes I make and or discover, and this is no exception! I was inspired by a kindof chewy cashew brittle that my mom used to make with graham crackers when I was little. I actually requested the stuff for my 'birthday cake' on several occasions because I was that addicted. 

I actually tweaked my favorite shortbread-ish recipe for the base (so you can imagine the soft flakiness), and then cooked up the chewy caramel topping using the rule of thirds, then adding in a few perks here and there, a bunch of my favorite nuts, and voila! Pretty much the most amazing nut bar I've ever had... except mommy's of course:) here it is!

Heavenly Maple Nut Bars

Ingredients:

Bottom:
- 2 sticks butter 

- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)

- 2 1/2 cup flour

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Top:
- 1 stick butter melted

- 1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)

- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

- 1/4 cup heavy cream

- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1/2 cup chopped sliced almonds

Method:

Step #1: Start your oven preheating to 350 degrees, and use tin foil to line a 9x13 baking dish, making sure that it comes up high on all sides. Start making your crust by combining the butter and sugar and whipping till smooth, then sprinkle in your salt and nutmeg, and add your flour slowly as you mix till crumbly.

Step #2: Add your crust (after saving some back for taste testing purposes) to your lined pan and press firmly to make an even solid bottom. Puncture a dozen times or so to avoid bubbling, and cook in your oven for 18-20 minutes or till the edges are browned.

Step #3: Once your crust has been baking for 15 minutes or so you'll want to start making your topping by combining the butter, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla into a small saucepan and cooking on medium heat till you have a nice rolling boil. turn the heat down to low and simmer for about a minute.

Step #4: Once you're mixture is done on the stove you'll add your chopped nuts, and stir to evenly coat them with the mixture. Take your crust out of the oven and immediately pour your topping onto your crust, spreading with a spoon to make it even. Put your pan back in the oven and cook for another 20 minutes or so. 

Step #5: Once you're all done baking, your pan will be covered in tiny bubbles. Let the bars cool in the pan for about an hour. The bubbles will magically turn into your chewy nutty top. Once only warm, remove slab using the tinfoil, and use a sharp knife to slice your bars up. 
Enjoy with milk:) 

There you go! I'm not going to tell you anymore about how wonderful they are or how you should make them, I'm just oging to give you another picture and tell you that it's in your best interest to make them today. This instant. That is that:)

Have a fantastically Fall day dearies! 

xo, Emily

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