Cherry Walnut Squares Recipe

Cherry Walnut Squares Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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I call these my “naughty but nice” bars. Packed with dried cherries, white chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, they’re indulgent and oh-so-good! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

This recipe is:

Diabetic Friendly

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Cherry Walnut Squares Recipe

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Yield: 78 Servings

25 25 50

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
2-3/4 cups chopped walnuts, divided
1 cup dried cherries, chopped
2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup white baking chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugars and extract until light and fluffy. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, cream and salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 4 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Remove from the heat. Stir in 2-1/2 cups walnuts, cherries and vanilla; spread over crust. Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with baking chips and remaining walnuts; lightly press into filling. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 6-1/2 dozen.

Nutritional Facts 1 piece equals 105 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Cherry Walnut Squares in Country Woman Christmas Annual 2011, p62

Chopping Nuts

Before chopping nuts in a food processor, dust them with flour. This keeps the nuts from sticking to the processor. —Gladys W., Calvert City, Kentucky