When you just want a little bite to go along with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, these bars hit the spot.
A thin shortbread crust topped with a filling that has all the essential ingredients to satisfy the cravings …
and just a little bite is…
Pure Bliss!
Bliss Bars
Prep time: 15 minutes Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Yield: 30-35 small squares or triangles
Ingredients for crust:
115 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small chunks
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
150 g (1 cup / 250 mL) all purpose flour
¼ teaspoon (1.5 mL) salt
Ingredients for Topping:
2 – 2 1/4 cups of your choice of:
Chopped nuts – walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans (toasted and cooled)
Dried fruit – cranberries, raisins, or cherries
Chips – dark, milk, or white chocolate; peanut butter; butterscotch; or toffee
2 large eggs, at room temperature
105 g (1/2 cup hard-packed) golden brown sugar
½ cup (125 mL) golden cane syrup
2 teaspoons (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (15 mL) brandy or bourbon
¼ teaspoon (1.5 mL) salt
2 tablespoons (30 mL) unsalted butter, melted
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350 0F (180 0C). Lightly butter a 9 x 9 baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the crust: Put cold butter chunks into the bowl of a food processor. Drizzle in the vanilla; add the sugar, flour, and salt. Pulse until crumbly. Press crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake crust for 15-18 minutes – or until light golden in colour. Let the crust cool for about 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.
- Prepare the filling: Combine your choice of nuts, dried fruit and chips. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and add the brown sugar. Stir well to combine. Pour in the syrup, vanilla and brandy. Whisk to combine. Add the salt.
- Stir in melted butter. Whisk to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
- When the crust has been baked, and has cooled down a little, evenly sprinkle the nut-dried fruit-chip mixture over the crust.
- Gently pour the egg-syrup mixture evenly over all.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes – or until it is firmly set and is golden brown.
- Let cool completely in the pan. Cut into small squares or triangles.
Questions and comments are always welcome alex@chilipeppersandpears.com