Rustic Nut Bars

By amaliana

"Everyone will crunch with joy when they bite into these chewy, gooey bars. They'll love the shortbread-like crust and the wildly nutty topping."

Ingredients

• TOPPING:
• 1 tablespoon plus 3/4 cup cold butter, divided
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted
• 1 cup roasted salted almonds
• 1 cup salted cashews, toasted
• 1 cup pistachios, toasted

Details

Servings 40
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 55mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Line a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with foil; grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; cut in remaining butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in egg until blended (mixture will be dry).
3. Press firmly onto the bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 375F for 18-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
4. In a large saucepan, bring the honey, brown sugar and salt to a boil over medium heat until sugar is smooth; stirring often. Boil without stirring for 2 minutes. Add butter and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the hazelnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios. Spread over crust.
5. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes or until topping is bubbly. Cool completely on a wire rack. Using foil, lift bars out of pan. Discard foil; cut into squares.