Caramel Nut Bars
Ingredients:
- flour - 2 cups
- powdered sugar - 2/3 cup
- Kosher salt - large pinch
- cold butter, cubed - 3/4 cup
- coarsely chopped walnuts - 1 1/2 cups
- coarsely chopped pecans - 1 cup
- coarsely chopped almonds - 1 cup
- packed dark brown sugar - 1/2 cup
- honey - 1/2 cup
- kosher salt - 1/2 t
- butter, cubed - 1/2 cup plus 3 T
- heavy whipping cream - 3 T
Instructions:
Place foil in a 13 x 9 inch baking, grease foil; set aside.
Prepare crust -- in a food processer, pulse together flour, sugar and salt. Add 3/4 cup butter and pulse into tiny pieces. Evenly press crust on the foil. Bake the crust in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, until lightly colored. Remove from oven, cool completely.
Prepare nut topping -- place the nuts on a baking sheet, roast in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes, until toasted and aromatic, stirring after 5 minutes. Remove from oven, cool the nuts for 5 minutes. In a heavy duty saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, salt, 1/2 cup plus 3 T butter and cream. Cook, stir frequently, over medium high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Remove pan from the heat and immediately stir in the nuts, coating them completely with the caramel mixture. Evenly spread nut mixture over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes, until golden and set. Remove from the oven, cool completely. Lift bars from the pan with the edges of the foil, carefully peel foil away. Use a large knife to cut into bars.
