Mrs. Field's Vermont Maple Walnut Bars

By HeatherS

Ingredients

• Bars:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (4 oz) walnuts, chopped
• Maple Frosting:
• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tbs light brown sugar, packed
• 3 Tbs pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup & 2 Tbs confectioners' sugar
• walnut halves (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease an 8 by 8 inch baking pan.

To make bars:

In a medium bowl combine flour and soda. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer blend sugar and butter to form a grainy paste. Scrape down sides of bowl, then add syrup, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth.

Add the flour mixture and walnuts, and blend at low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.

Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top with a spatula. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack.
Cool completely before icing.

To make frosting:

In a medium bowl cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer at high speed. Add brown sugar and maple syrup, and beat until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to medium, and slowly add confectioners' sugar. Once sugar is incorporated, increase speed to high, and mix until smooth. If frosting appears thin, gradually add confectioners' sugar until frosting thickens.

Using a metal spatula, spread frosting on top and sides of maple bars. If desired, make designs on frosting or decorate with walnut halves.

Yield:12-16 bars