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Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

Today we make an easy Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

by wsg team
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Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

Welcome to the epitome of holiday indulgence, where every bite is a symphony of flavors and every moment in the kitchen is a celebration of the festive spirit! Today, I am thrilled to show you a recipe that will make you ask for more of this delight: Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars.

Now, if you’re on the lookout for a dessert that’s gonna knock your socks off, you’ve found the right place.

The buttery shortbread base that’s basically a hug for your taste buds. On top of that, we’re talking about a sticky layer that’s a wild mix of bourbon, molasses, and toasted walnuts ā€“ it’s like a flavor party in your mouth. And because we believe in going all out, we’re crowning these bad boys with a rich, bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Yep, we’re not messing around.

Cream, butter, and sugar take center stage during the splendid months of November and December. Soon, delectable delights like chocolate truffles, rum balls, buttery cookies, and liquor-infused cakes will grace every blog post and cooking show, bringing forth a symphony of flavors and festive cheer.

They meet all the criteria for an indulgent holiday treat:

  • A luxurious, buttery shortbread base.
  • sticky, sweet layer infused with bourbon, molasses, and toasted walnuts.
  • A lavish topping of rich, bittersweet chocolate ganache.

These bars are not just delicious; they’re a delightful addition to any gathering, whether it’s a festive party or a cozy potluck, or simply for pampering yourself after a long day.

Without further ado, let’s embark on the journey of creating these heavenly delights!

Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

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Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups walnuts feel free to substitute with your preferred unsalted nuts
  • 1 1/2 cups 3 sticks butter (2 sticks at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons melted and 4 tablespoons cold and cubed)
  • 1 2/3 cups lightly packed brown sugar
  • 2/3 teaspoon salt
  • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups light corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon full-flavor molasses optional
  • 2 tablespoons whiskey or bourbon optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential for these sticky bars!Spread walnuts onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Toast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool, then chop them coarsely.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (2 sticks) of room temperature butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar, and salt until the sugar is fully incorporated into the butter. Stir in 2 2/3 cups flour until the mixture starts to come together. Use your hands to mix until all the flour is incorporated.
  • Press the dough evenly into the parchment-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, light corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, molasses (if using), bourbon, vanilla, and 4 tablespoons melted butter.
  • Once thoroughly mixed, add the chopped, toasted walnuts.
  • Pour the walnut-corn syrup mixture over the baked shortbread base (no need to cool the base). Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is set and slightly browned around the edges.
  • Remove from the oven.Place chocolate chips in a large bowl.
  • Add 4 tablespoons of cubed butter.
  • Scald the heavy cream on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • Pour the scalded cream over the chocolate and butter, mixing until smooth.
  • Pour the ganache over the baked walnut bars. Let cool for 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
  • Transfer the bars to the refrigerator to chill.
  • Cut into squares once completely chilled.

Instructions On How To Make The Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars Recipe

 

Prepare your ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential for these sticky bars!

Step 1: Toast Walnuts

Spread walnuts onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool, then chop them coarsely.

Step 2: Make Shortbread Base

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (2 sticks) of room temperature butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar, and salt until the sugar is fully incorporated into the butter. Stir in 2 2/3 cups flour until the mixture starts to come together. Use your hands to mix until all the flour is incorporated.

The dough will appear crumbly. Press the dough evenly into the parchment-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven.

Step 3: Prepare Walnut, Corn-Syrup Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, light corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, molasses (if using), bourbon, vanilla, and 4 tablespoons melted butter. Once thoroughly mixed, add the chopped, toasted walnuts.

Pour the walnut-corn syrup mixture over the baked shortbread base (no need to cool the base). Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is set and slightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache Topping

Prepare the Chocolate Ganache Topping
Place chocolate chips in a large bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of cubed butter. Scald the heavy cream on the stovetop or in the microwave. Pour the scalded cream over the chocolate and butter, mixing until smooth.

If the chips don’t melt completely, you can warm the bowl in the microwave or a warm oven for 30-60 seconds. Pour the ganache over the baked walnut bars.

Let cool for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. Transfer the bars to the refrigerator to chill. Cut into squares once completely chilled.

These bars are delightful when freshly baked, but their flavors meld beautifully when allowed to rest overnight in the refrigerator. A true culinary delight awaits!

Tips, FAQs, and Suggestions for Making Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars

Toasting Walnuts: Don’t skip the step of toasting the walnuts! It brings out their rich flavor and adds a lovely crunch to the bars.

Parchment Paper: Trust me, parchment paper is your best friend for this recipe. It makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your bars don’t stick to the pan.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Remember to use room temperature ingredients when making the shortbread base. It helps everything come together smoothly and ensures a tender crust.

Chilling the Bars: Patience is key when it comes to chilling the bars. Let them cool completely in the refrigerator before cutting into squares for the best results.

Customizing Flavors: Feel free to get creative with the flavors! Don’t have bourbon on hand? No worries, you can skip it or substitute with your favorite liqueur. Want to add a twist? Try incorporating different nuts or experimenting with flavored chocolate chips.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use a different type of nut instead of walnuts?
A: Absolutely! You can swap out walnuts for pecans, almonds, or your favorite nut variety.

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
A: Definitely! These bars actually taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Q: How long do these bars last?
A: If they last that long, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. But let’s be honest, they usually disappear pretty quickly!

Tips:

  • Serve these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
  • Wrap individual bars in parchment paper and tie them with ribbon for a charming homemade gift during the holiday season.
  • Feeling adventurous? Experiment with different types of chocolate for the ganache topping, like dark chocolate or even white chocolate for a unique twist.
  • Don’t be afraid to double the recipe if you’re baking for a crowd. Trust me, they’ll thank you later!

It goes perfectly with a refreshing cardamom mint iced tea, so check it out!

Wrapping up!

And there you have it, folks – the last crumb of our Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars disappears, leaving behind a trail of sweet memories and satisfied taste buds. Whether you shared these bars with friends, savored them solo, or simply indulged in a moment of pure bliss, one thing’s for sure: they’ve left their mark.

As we bid farewell to this delectable treat, let’s remember that the magic of baking isn’t just in the ingredients, but in the moments shared around the table.

So, until next time, keep spreading joy, sharing laughter, and baking up a storm. And who knows? Maybe another batch of Sticky Walnut Ganache Bars is just around the corner. Until then, happy baking, my friends!


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