The Home Cook: Chocolate Walnut Pie Bars

Probably the biggest hit at last weekend's LAN party were these Chocolate Walnut Pie bars. I'm guessing because they were 1)chocolate and 2) edible. Tim's friends are not culinarily discerning. I really liked the short bread crust, it was nice and buttery and held the bars nicely. The filling part of the bars had a nice chewy / gooey texture; but I think I would leave the pieces of walnuts larger next time or possibly substitute halved pecans. Using the last of some finely chopped walnuts didn't do the recipe any justice. The pieces were just too small to really give the bars any bite.

I've recently upgraded from Nestle chocolate to a better quality brand of baking chocolate and it was really evident in these bars. The chocolate melted much more smoothly and had a deeper richer flavor. I've been enjoying trying old favorites with the new brand and have been enjoying the results immensely, in fact I'm hoping to whip out my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and give it a whirl. Hopefully on superbowl weekend I can get some more baking done.

Chocolate Walnut Pie Bars

From Nestle's Best of Collection, 2006

Crust
1-1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter, softened
1/4 cup packed Brown Sugar

Filling
3 large Eggs
3/4 cup Light Corn Syrup
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 tablespoons Butter, melted
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 cups (12-ounce package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped Walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 13×9-inch baking pan. Beat together flour, butter and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press onto bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl. Stir in morsels and nuts; pour over hot crust. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.