- 2 cups walnut halves (1/2 pound)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Salt
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan and line the bottom with wax paper or parchment. Finely grind 1 cup of the walnuts with 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat 4 tablespoons of the butter with the remaining 3/4 cup sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, 1 at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the ground walnuts.
- Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Fold the beaten whites into the walnut batter, then pour into the prepared pan. Tilt the pan to evenly distribute the batter. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is set and begins to pull away from the side of the pan. Transfer to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the side of the pan and turn the cake out onto a serving plate to cool completely.
- In a food processor, pulse the remaining 1 cup of walnuts with the confectioners’ sugar until finely ground. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and pulse until creamy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Using the edge of a tablespoon, make a decorative pattern in the frosting. Cut the cake into 1-by-2-inch bars and serve.
easyfoodsmith says
I love ‘happily ever after’ stories especially when they happen in real world! These bars look lovely…love your blog space and your food pics 🙂
Britne @ Shabbott's Habits says
I love how simple this is! Anything with just 6 ingredients that looks that good is a “win” in my book! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly@TheMeaningofPie says
Welcome Back. I’m so glad the wolf is defeated. And, what a lovely way to get back into the swing of things. Gorgeous dessert!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum! That looks so good! I may have to make this! Thanks!
Roxana GreenGirl says
I’m glad to hear your husband is feeling much better and the wolf have been defeated. Welcome back Jean, we missed you a lot 🙂
Love your sweet entrance, can’t wait for the next ones.
Adora's Box says
Thank God for the happy every after ending to that story. Nothing like a naughty cake to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. I just love the extra thick nutty topping. Take care, Jean.
Liz says
Family always trumps blogging! Fingers crossed your prince’s recovery is quick and complete!
PS…these bars are stunning!!!
kita says
Im glad the fairy tale had a happy ending. These walnut bars sound delicious.
tasteofbeirut says
Life is full of ups and downs and sometimes one has to just be adaptable and go with the flow; these bars are splendid and remind me of an Armenian pastry I almost made the other day.
Sprigs of Rosemary says
I’m cheering for the happy ending, too! The walnut bars are beautiful and tempting. Some people say they don’t like walnut stuff. I don’t believe them.
Stephanie says
I hope everything works our just perfectly for you, Jean! These walnut bars look just delicious!
Feast on the Cheap says
Glad to hear your husband is on the mend 😉
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
You’ve been missed! I’m glad to hear your husband is doing better.
gourmetgetaway says
The bars look absolutely delicious. Hope hubby is better!
janet@fromcupcakestocaviar says
Glad you’re back. And very glad you two managed to kill off that nasty wolf!
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says
Jean, my dear friend – this was such a lovely post! I am SOOOOOO happy that the story ends well and my thoughts are with hubby and you for a speedy recovery. You have indeed been missed within the blogging community and would love to get together soon. Email me and we can figure out a time that works! BTW – these bars look super divine. Enjoy your weekend!! 🙂
patty says
Glad to see you posting Jean and happy that you are doing well;-) I’ve missed your posts and am loving this one. I like to share the sweet notes too;-) I hope you’re enjoying this amazing weather and have some fun things planned for the weekend.
Lana says
I am glad that you are back, and even happier that the story had a happy ending:) These bars look divine and remind me of something my grandmother made – very simple, very rich, and utterly delicious! I missed you!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Welcome back Jean! We missed you and your posts but I’m glad your husband is feeling better. I hope you and your husband are enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend. This walnut bar looks delicious and I’m glad you are back blogging. Take your time settling down for blogging, we’ll be here. 🙂
Kate@Diethood says
I am so HAPPY for that HAPPY ENDING!!! And I am also so-very-happy to see you back!!
Annapet (@thedailypalette) says
So happy to read about your new post, and more importantly, happy to hear the big bad wolf has been defeated!
Vicki @ WITK says
Welcome back and glad to hear that things are looking up for you and yours! Thanks for sharing a sweet dish rather than savory. Seems perfect to think of the sweet things in life 🙂
Sippitysup says
You are the girl for whom happy endings were invented! GREG
Liren says
A happy ending! So wonderful to hear that he is on the road to recovery and that you are back for all of us 🙂 I know I missed you! These walnut bars are just gorgeous and a beautiful way to celebrate 🙂
Gina says
So glad things are getting back to normal for you, that must have been so hard. These bars are amazing, a must try. So glad you are both doing okay. You were missed.
-GIna-
Michelle says
great idea with the top of these! such a simple way to make them look over the top beautiful!