CHOCOLATE WALNUT SQUARES, indulgence, definitely not good for you

An easy-peasy gorgeous traybake as the Canadian 150th anniversary draws to a close

Chocolate Walnut Butter Squres
'the most delicious sweet I've ever had!' Taster

These delightful little squares are a yummy twist on the classic Canadian butter tart (small pastry shells filled with an oozy carmelly topping which 67 has never - sadly - mastered).  

The Butter squares have a shortbread base and multi-textured topping of crunchy walnuts and studs of chocolate embedded in buttery, caramel.  They're surprisingly easy to put together. 

Though the squares, inspired by the Newfoundland blog Rock Recipes*, are an indulgence, 67 has made them less unhealthy.   Wholemeal flour adds fibre, slowing down the absorption of sugar.  Dried coconut  and ground almonds replaces some sugar.  But in recognition of the many chocaholics in the world, the amount of chocolate was unchanged. 

These were made on local election day for a campaign team.  They loved the squares so much the plateful of goodies was tweeted many times!!

Cost: £2.50

Feeds: 24  

Ingred:   

Shortbread base:

    1 cup wholemeal flour

    1 tbsp brown sugar
    2 tbsp ground almonds 

    113gm/4oz soft salted butter (zap in microwave in 20 sec bursts if you've forgetten to leave it out overnight)

Topping:

 2 med free range eggs   
scant 1 cup soft brown sugar

   1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut
    2 tsp vanilla extract

  

   3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

   pinch salt

   scant 1 cup dark chocolate chips or coarsely chopped 70% dark chocolate (about 100 gm/3.5oz)

Method:

1. Line a 7x10inch/18x25cm rectangular pan or equiv with greaseproof paper
2. Preheat oven to 350f/180c/gas4
3. With a processor or by hand, combine base ingred until blended & crumbly
4. Press into the pan; bake 15 mins; set aside
5. Use electric beaters or a whisk to beat eggs; add sugar, coconut,  & vanilla; stir till well blended 
6. Add salt, walnuts and chocolate; stir till all is distributed evenly
7. Pour over base
8. Reduce oven temp to 325f/165/gas3
9. Bake 20-25 mins
10.  Cool completely before cutting into 24 portions.  Use a sharp knife.  

                                     *#RockRecipes100Cookies4Christmas https://buff.ly/2gRqx51  #NL #foodie

incl. Butter Tarts 

Comments:

'It was the most delicious sweet I've ever had.' Female Campaign Manager

Tips:

• The addition of a handful of glace cherries, in generous chunks, take these beauties to another level
• an 8in/20cm or 9in/23 square pan will give a deeper base and filling

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.