Mrs Fields Vermont Maple Walnut Bars Recipe 365

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease an 8 by 8 inch baking pan. To make bars: In a medium bowl combine flour and soda. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside. In a large bowl with an electric mixer blend sugar and butter to form a grainy paste. Scrape down sides of bowl, then add syrup, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Add the flour mixture and walnuts, and blend at low speed just until combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top with a spatula. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack. Cool completely before icing. To make frosting: In a medium bowl cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer at high speed. Add brown sugar and maple syrup, and beat until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to medium, and slowly add confectioners' sugar. Once sugar is incorporated, increase speed to high, and mix until smooth. If frosting appears thin, gradually add confectioners' sugar until frosting thickens. Using a metal spatula, spread frosting on top and sides of maple bars. If desired, make designs on frosting or decorate with walnut halves. Yield:12-16 bars

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 8 x 8 inch pan.
• In a medium bowl combine flour and baking soda. Mix well and set aside.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend brown sugar and 1/2 cup margarine to form a grainy paste. Scrape down sides of bowl, then add 1 cup syrup, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth.
• Add the flour mixture and walnuts and blend at low speed just until combined. Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top with a spatula. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan.
• To Make Maple Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream 1/2 cup margarine and cream cheese with an electric mixer at high speed. Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and beat until smooth. Slowly add confectioners sugar and reduce mixer speed to low. Once sugar is added mix until smooth. If frosting appears thin gradually add confectioners sugar until frosting thickens. Spread frosting on top of bars in pan and cut into squares.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, the granulated sugar and egg yolk with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Add flour and salt; beat until moist clumps form. Press dough in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat syrup, brown sugar, whipping cream and 3 tablespoons butter to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and walnuts. Pour hot filling over partially baked crust.
• Bake 15 minutes or until filling is bubbling in center. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.