Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Nut Bars

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup/90 g golden raisins/sultanas

• 1 1/4 cups/180 g whole-wheat flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup/100 g granulated sugar

• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract/essence

• Grated zest of 1/2 lemon

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1 tbsp dark rum

• 3/4 cup/75 g finely chopped hazelnuts

• 1/2 cup/50 g chopped walnuts

• 3 oz/90 g bittersweet/plain chocolate, finely grated

• 1 cup/250 g Chocolate Frosting

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C/gas 6. Butter a 9inch (23-cm) square baking pan.

2. Plump the raisins in hot water to cover in a small bowl for 10 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.

3. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and thick.

4. Add the vanilla and lemon zest. Mix in the dry ingredients, followed by the milk, rum, raisins, hazelnuts, walnuts, and chocolate.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan.

6. Chocolate Frosting: Mix the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and enough water to make a smooth frosting. Spread with the frosting and cut into bars.