Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Lemon Glazed Walnut Bars



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I live in an area where walnuts and hazelnuts grow in abundance and they are always available in local markets at a fair price. Ergo, I use them often in my cooking, especially in desserts and pastries. Bob really likes these lemon glazed walnut bars, and at his suggestion, I'm including them in this week's collection of adult cookie recipes. The cookies are made from a prize winning recipe that was developed by Chante Jones for a Taste of Home contest. Her recipe is straight forward and easy to follow, but I have a few cautions to share with you. I've found that the cookies have more flavor if they are allowed to age a day before serving. The wait time gives the ingredients a chance to marry and guarantees you won't be overwhelmed by the lemon flavor of the glaze. Fresh lemon juice should be the order of the day. I've found that commercial products have a lingering tinny taste that I find unpleasant. That could be my "princess and the pea" palate working overtime, but I think most of you would agree that fresh is best, and, hopefully, will use it when you make these cookies. These are not as sweet as most bar cookies and I love to make theme for friends who enjoy tea. I hope you will give them a try. I suspect you'll like them a lot. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Glazed Walnut Bars...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Chante Jones and Taste of Home

Ingredients:

Crust
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Lemon Glaze
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I keep this to 2 tablespoons)

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Set aside.
2) To make cookie crust: Combine butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer and cream until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and salt and gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
3) To make filling: Combine eggs, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, salt and baking powder in a small bowl. Stir in walnuts. Spread over crust. Bake for 25 minutes or until filling is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
4) To make glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar and enough lemon juice to achieve desired consistency; spread over filling. Let stand until set before cutting. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.







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69 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

They almost look like a cross between candy and a cookie!

Unknown said...

dea Mary every morning since mi 'have discovered your blog I come and read if there is something new... these these bars are very delicious ..I have already done one your cookeie and I think this will be the next kiss Simmy

Prema said...

Delicious cookies,luks inviting...

HaleyLeann said...

Wow Mary! Thanks for the encouragement and for leaving a little blog love! =) Your blog is great and your pictures are beautiful! I can't wait to nose around some more in your recipes.

Cool Chic Style Fashion said...

Bellissimi biscotti, deliziozi
ciao

kitchen flavours said...

This bars looks wonderful! I know that I would definitely love this! Thanks for sharing!

Eileen said...

Mary, these sound heavenly! I like the combination of lemon and nuts ~ it's kind of unusual.

Susan said...

Lovely, Mary! I love walnuts & lemon, but never thought to combine them in this way! What a wonderful treat,

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

I'm really enjoying this week of adult cookies. I wonder how these bars would be if made with black walnuts. Hmm....

A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

I am sooo addicted to lemon desserts! I rarely see lemon desserts with nuts, but these look awesome!

- Maggie

Anonymous said...

I love lemon glaze here.It kind of brakes the too much sweetness;)Great recepie:)

sangeeta said...

I would love this crumbly toffee treat...walnuts and lemon would be wonderful together.

Katarina said...

Looks really delicious!

thelittleloaf said...

These look delicious - I love the idea of that lemon glaze with the crunchy walnuts beneath.

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Deliciously looking...Yummmi..

Kisses,
Rita

Red Nomad OZ said...

Sounds like a great combination of many of my favourite things - and I've found many things improve after 24 hours so will definitely be taking that advice!!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I am a friend who loves tea. :-)

These look wonderful.

Fondly,
Glenda

tata | bonitafood said...

Hi Mary, I'll be very happy if you give me some bars... They sounds so great ^^

Unknown said...

these look delicious, Mary. I will definitely earmark the recipe! Thanks.

Lynn said...

They look great, like something that would go good with a cup of coffee:@)

Kim said...

I don't know if I would be able to wait a whole day before eating these because they looks so good!

Tanna said...

I like having recipes that can be used for meals or events I would like to have everything prepared ahead of time and they will actually get better in that wait-time! These sound delicious! thank you. Blessings ~ tanna

Lora said...

These look delightful! I love the combination of walnut and lemon

Big Dude said...

I'm a walnut fan and these look super good Mary

Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane said...

Lemon and walnut is a fantastic combination, and I'm quite jealous that you have an abundance of walnuts, I love their taste and texture!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

I cant imagine how lucky you are to live somewhere to buy hazelnuts, I got five packages when visiting in NY last year can never find them in Florida,, going to give this a try soon love this recipe

Karen ( Back Road Journal) said...

I like the idea of adult cookies and these would be lovely with a cup of tea in the afternoon.

Sue/the view from great island said...

These cookie bars speak my language! It's always a great surprise when something tastes as good or better the next day, it's a shame to go to all that trouble and have to gobble it all up on the spot.
I have to tell you I keep getting waylaid by your 'one and two years ago' photos. This time it was the corn soup. You really are an amazing blogger!

Jocie's Mom said...

Oooh! Good choice for your adult cookie series :) Don't think I've tried a walnut/lemon pairing before but it sounds pretty much genius!

From the Kitchen said...

Not that I can't put away ooey gooey cookies, I love having a more sophisticated one in my repertoire--a dignified offering at tea! Or anytime = )

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

I'm so lovin' your adult cookie week!! Makes me glad to be an adult! lol
These bars look wonderful! And the lemon glaze... YUM!

PeggyR said...

Norm would love those. Now with the weather cooling down, I may make a batch and take them into the wing that he's in.

briarrose said...

Excellent recipe. The layers in these bars is so lovely.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I can only just imagine the wonderful smells that come from your kitchen, Mary!

Tara said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I came to pay a visit and look what I found!! These look absolutely delicious and easy to make. On top of that, I love lemon and walnuts.

Anonymous said...

one of my favorites!

That Girl said...

I wish both of those nuts were cheaper here!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

OMG! The walnut bars are TDF! Thanks, as always for sharing the recipe, it's just right for fall, I love walnuts and all nuts...even crazy nuts! LOL! lOTS OF HUGS, FABBY

Le palais gourmand said...

À tester, ça semble trop bon!!!

Clint said...

These look heavenly. No really--- like I've gone to heaven...

France said...

Walnuts and lemon, I love the flavor combo!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Thanks for the tips... Love your adult cookie week!

Anonymous said...

I like the thin layer of crust on these bars. Yum!

Joanne said...

I'm super jealous of your hazelnut and walnut abundance! Two of my favorite nuts. That lemon glaze on top is calling to me...

Emily Malloy said...

Absolutely beautiful!

hobby baker Kelly said...

Mmmm, now those look exceptionally yummy. Must try.

Unknown said...

what an amazing flavor combo...pinned!

Sabienne said...

It's simply gorgeous!

Gloria Baker said...

WOW look delicious Mary, xxgloria

Patty Price said...

I love these walnut bars with a lemon glaze- I'm printing this recipe!

David said...

Mary, Not only are these cookies/bars great looking...yum...but they sound great too. Another addition to our recipe files! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Melissa W. said...

Thankyou for the sweet comment! xoox
melissa
www.melissaandameliawags.blogspot.com

Elisa said...

Can I use plain sugar for the glaze? I have all the ingredients except vanilla extract and confectioners sugar, but I wanted to substitute with almond extract? I will give it a try.

What's next said...

those look devine! I wish we lived where there were local grown goodies! Unless I need cotton, we're out of luck!

Arlene Delloro said...

a winning combo, to be sure!

sally said...

These bars would be perfect with a cup of tea! Yum!

Gwen said...

Bookmarked! What a sweet way to enjoy walnuts!

Anonymous said...

These walnut bars look amazing! I love the lemon glaze on top. :)

Savannah said...

Thanks for leaving some love on my blog, its nice to meet you. And can I say, OMG this food looks DELISH! I just pinned the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake to my pinterest board so I can remember to try it in the near future.

Chef E said...

I great BIG BIG YUM on these Mary!

Catherine said...

Hello Mary, Just dropping by to say hello. All of your dishes look wonderful. Hoping that all is well with you. Catherine

Amalia said...

These look delicious! We used to have a hazelnut tree in our yard, too bad we moved :( Great recipe!

Tasha said...

I love lemon desserts and love walnuts. I'm also a big fan of not overly sweet treats. These look delicious!

Leslie said...

Barf..I loathe lemon juice from concentrate. It's just plain nasty. Fresh is always best. These sound super yummy!

Ryan said...

That is great that you have access to walnuts and hazelnuts and at a good price too! I love the glaze on top of these cookies- they sound delicious!

Tender B. said...

This is my kind of dessert.

My Little Space said...

This looks amazing! I'm going to make this soon....really soon. thanks for sharing.
Kristy

Norma said...

What a great recipe. Will have to try it out on the grandkids...

Kim @ In Our Write Minds said...

Mmmmmm! Just made these tonight, and they're scrumptions! Easy yet party-tray worthy. Love the filling, which reminds me a bit of pecan pie. And the lemon glaze adds such a nice touch in both flavor and visual appeal. Thank you so much--a winner all around!

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