Orange Walnut Bars - December, 2018.

The holiday season will bring out the best of your baking. You can serve yummy bars like these when folks come over and also give a festive box as a neighborly gift!

This is my basic blondie recipe. I raised the taste bar by adding freshly squeezed orange juice and zest. Citrus and chocolate are a great combination, so consider a ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips. I usually don’t, but chocolate is always a plus. Switch to pecans instead of walnuts, if you prefer.

Find this recipe on pages 128 & 129 of Fat Witch Cookbook.

• Ingredients
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 ¾ cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (1 medium orange)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups unbleached flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
• ½ cup walnuts and additional 12 to 16 for top of bars
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

• Directions
• Grease a 9” square baking pan with butter or vegetable oil.
• Dust with flour and tap out the excess
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter and sugar in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently.
• When smoothly combined, remove the pan from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Pour the butter mixture into a medium-sized mixing bowl
• Beat in the eggs until blended.
• Add in the orange juice and vanilla and mix thoroughly
• Measure the flour, baking powder, salt and then sift directly into the butter batter.
• Mix gently until well combined and no trace of dry ingredients remains.
• With a wooden spoon, stir in the orange zest, nuts (walnuts or pecans) and if desired, chocolate chips.
• Spread the batter evenly in the baking pan.
• Put whole walnuts or pecans in 12-16 places on the top of the batter.
• Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean or with only crumbs.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let cool on a rack for 1 hour. Cut just before serving.
• Makes 12-16 bars