Raspberry Walnut Bars.

Each year around Thanksgiving my company has a bake-off. I'm not much of a baker, but I'm always up for friendly competition. After going through my roommates baking recipes I decided on these raspberry walnut bars. I figured everyone would bring something festive, so wanted my baked good to standout. Since raspberry isn't a typical fall flavor- why not give it a whirl!

Raspberry Walnut Bars


Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cups raspberry jam
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

Spray an 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with a piece of parchment paper. Make sure to leave excess paper hanging over the side. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray as well

In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy- 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture- mixing until combined (do not over mix)

Transfer two-thirds of the dough to the prepared pan and press evenly then

spread the jam on top.

Crumble remaining dough over the jam and sprinkle with the walnuts and coconut

Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely in pan

Holding both sides of the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve!

These bars were a hit! It was a close competition.. I got 3rd place, not bad for a novice baker. I guess the crowd was looking for festive cookies afterall - Dan Coe's Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies won.

Next Year- It's on!