Vegetarian Macadamia Nut Bars

Description

These Vegetarian Macadamia Nut Bars are a decadent, delicious treat that combine a buttery crust with a rich, nutty filling filled with crunchy macadamia nuts. Perfect for snacking or as a delightful dessert, these bars are easy to make and loved by everyone.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups (200 grams) macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
• 1 cup (150 grams) white chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the crust

   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in the 2 cups of flour and salt until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

3. Bake the crust

   Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until it is just beginning to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

4. Prepare the filling

   In another bowl, beat together the brown sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour and the baking powder, mixing until well incorporated. Stir in the roughly chopped macadamia nuts and, if using, the white chocolate chips.

5. Spread the filling over the crust

   Pour the filling mixture over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly using a spatula.

6. Bake until set

   Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool and slice

   Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into bars or squares.

8. Serve

   Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Enjoy!

Tips

• For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and the eggs with flaxseed eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg).
• For an extra layer of flavor, you might want to toast the macadamia nuts before adding them to the filling.

These vegetarian macadamia nut bars make a great treat for any occasion. They are rich, chewy, and full of delicious macadamia nut flavor!