Biscuits, Bars And Cookies Recipes - Chocolate Walnut Bars

Ingredients

• 50g/2/3 cup walnuts

• 55g/generous 1/4 cup caster sugar

• 100g/scant 1 cup plain flour, sifted

• 90g/6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

FOR THE TOPPING

• 25g/2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 90ml/6 tbsp water

• 25g/1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 90g/1/2 cup caster sugar

• 5ml/1 tsp vanilla essence

• 1.5ml/1/4 tsp salt

• 2 eggs

• icing sugar, for dusting

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180'C/350"F /Gas 4. Grease the base and sides of a 20cm/8in square baking tin.

2. Grind the walnuts with a few tablespoons of the sugar in a food processor or blender. In a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, remaining sugar and flour. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Alternatively, use a food processor. Pat the walnut mixture evenly into the base of the baking tin. Bake for 25 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, for the topping, melt the butter with the water. Whsk in the cocoa powder and sugar. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla essence and salt, then cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the eggs until blended. Pour the topping over the baked crust.

4. Return to the oven and bake until set, about 20 minutes. Set the tin on a wire rack to cool, then cut into bars and dust with icing sugar.