Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Bars With Shortbread Recipes

MACADAMIA NUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets with vegetable shortening.
• Cream the butter and sugars together in a large bowl. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well blended. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually blend into the batter. Stir in the chopped macadamia nuts and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
• Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove from the oven, and transfer the cookies to cooling racks.

CHOCOLATE CHIP-MACADAMIA NUT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend flour and sugar in processor. Add butter; process using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to 8-inch square glass baking dish. Press mixture onto bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of dish. Bake until crust is golden brown on edges, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling:
• Whisk sugar, flour, eggs, butter and vanilla extract to blend in large bowl. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
• Pour filling into warm crust, smoothing surface. Bake until filling is golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 50 minutes. Transfer dish to rack; cool completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.) Cut int 16 squares.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-MACADAMIA NUT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Grease rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Heat butter and brown sugar in 3-quart saucepan over low heat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted; remove from heat.
• Beat vanilla and eggs into sugar mixture with electric mixer on medium speed. Beat in flour and baking powder on low speed. Stir in half of the nuts and 1/4 cup of the baking chips. Pour into pan. Sprinkle with remaining nuts and 1/2 cup of the baking chips.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and center is set. Cool about 30 minutes.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup baking chips and the shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour into small resealable plastic food-storage bag; seal bag. Cut small opening in a corner of the bag. Squeeze bag to drizzle melted chips over bars. Cool until set. For 48 bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.

LEMON-MACADAMIA SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F Line 13x9-inch pan with foil so that foil hangs over edges. Cut 13x9-inch piece of parchment paper; place over foil in bottom of pan.
• Place 1 cup macadamia nuts and 3/4 cup sugar in food processor; pulse until nuts are finely ground. Add flour, butter and lemon peel; pulse until mixture is blended (dough will not form). Spread mixture in pan; press evenly to form crust. Prick dough all over with fork. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until pale brown. Cool completely.
• In heavy medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and 6 tablespoons sugar; whisk in lemon juice. Cook over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until thickened and temperature reaches 160°F Remove from heat; whisk in 1/4 cup butter and 1 teaspoon lemon peel. Place in small bowl; press plastic wrap directly on surface. Cool to room temperature; spread over crust. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup macadamia nuts. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
• Remove bars by lifting foil ends. Slide bars with parchment paper liner onto cutting board. Cut into 36 pieces. Store in refrigerator.