Frosted Walnut Bar Recipe
I don’t know the official name of this frosted walnut bar recipe, but just call them frosted squares! The recipe was passed down from a dear friend of my grandmother. It is one my mom makes at Christmas, and my husband will eat the whole pan full if no one was looking!
It is one of those recipes that you probably have everything on hand in your pantry, but it is easy to substitute different nuts if you don’t have walnuts on hand.
I think they turned out pretty darn good.
As the recipe got past down through the years, when it got to me they were called frosted squares. I am not sure if this is the original title or not.
They could be called butter tart squares as they do remind me of butter tarts a bit. With a firm yet gooey centre, nuts and a buttery pastry crust.
Whatever you want to call them, they really are good. They also make the house smell really good while they bake!
I didn’t have any orange juice so I used strong coffee but you could really use any flavouring you like. I have used cream as well and they were delicious.
Chilling the squares is essential to firm up the filling and the frosting, so be sure to plan accordingly when you are ready to make them. I find even as little as an hour is enough!
This recipe makes an 8″ square pan, which yields about 16 squares. They freeze really well, which makes it the perfect treat to bake and store ahead of the holidays.
The easy part is making them. The hard part is keeping them from disappearing before I can even get them stored away.
Frosted Walnut Bars
Looking for a tasty dessert or afternoon pick-me-up? Try our mouthwatering Walnut Bars recipe - you won't be disappointed! Layers of goey brown sugar filling layered over a buttery crust and topped with a delicious creamy frosting.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cold butter cut into cubes
Filling
- 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons room temperature orange juice, cream, or warm coffee
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment and set aside.
Crust
- In a large bowl whisk flour and brown sugar together. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. (You can also use food processor and pulse butter and flour mixture until resembles course crumbs).
- Press into bottom of prepared pan; set aside.
Filling
- In a large mixing bowl whisk brown sugar, beaten eggs, walnuts, coconut, corn syrup, melted butter, extracts and salt. Mixing until well combined. Pour mixture over prepared crust; bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Frosting
- Sift icing sugar into a mixing bowl. Add softened butter and 3 tablespoons orange juice (or coffee, or cream) and whisk until mixture is smooth. Add more liquid or icing sugar until you get a thick but runny consistency. Pour over cooled squares and spread evenly. Refrigerate until set.
Notes
These squares will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months in a well sealed, air tight container.
