Viennese Walnut Bars Recipes

VIENNESE CHOCOLATE-WALNUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Cover a 9" square cake pan with aluminum foil.
• Make crust: In small bowl of electric mixer, cream butter. Beat in 1/4 cup dark brown sugar. On low speed, gradually add flour and beat only until the mixture holds together.
• Place dough by large spoonfuls across the bottom of the pan. With fingertips, press dough to make a smooth layer. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• As crust cooks, soften apricot prserves in a bowl and set aside.
• Make filling: Grind walnuts to a fine powder and set aside.
• In small bowl of electric mixer, beat eggs at high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until they are slightly thickened. Add salt and vanilla and then, on low speed, add sugar and cocoa. Increase the speed to high again and beat for 2-3 minutes more. On low speed beat in ground walnuts, beating only until nuts are incorporated.
• Spread preserves over the hot crust, leaving a 1/2" border at the edge.
• Pour filling over the preserves and tilt pan to make sure it's level.
• Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Cool completely, then ice.
• In top of double boiler, warm chocolate until it is melted, stirring continuously. Add corn syrup, coffee, and boiling water, and stir until smooth.
• Spread icing over cake; sprinkle with chopped walnuts and press down gently. Let stand at room temperature until icing is firm.

VIENNESE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Combine flour and ground almonds; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. , Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/4-in. round cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., Spread jam on the bottoms of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip half of each sandwich cookie into chocolate mixture; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in an airtight container.

VIENNESE PECAN BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. To make pastry, beat margarine, cream cheese, and sugar. Gradually beat in flour. Press evenly into greased 13"x9"x2" baking pan. Sprinkle with 1 c. nuts, then chocolate chips.To make topping, cream brown sugar, margarine, eggs, and hot water. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt, and gradually beat into creamed mixture. (Topping will be very thick.) Spoon over filling, spreading gently to cover. Sprinkle with 1/2 c. nuts. Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 32.

VIENNESE WALNUT BARS

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350°. Butter a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.2. To make pastry, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a small bowl with electric mixer until well blended. On low speed, gradually beat in flour. Press evenly in bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle with walnuts, then chocolate chips.3. To make topping, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat brown sugar, butter, eggs, and dissolved coffee in a medium bowl with electric mixer. On low speed or by hand, gradually beat in flour mixture (mixture will be very thick). Spoon over filling, spreading gently to cover. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.