Maple Nut Bars

1-1/2 c. plus 1 T. flour
1/3 c. plus 1/2 c. maple sugar
1/2 c. softened butter, plus extra for pan
3/4 c. maple syrup
1 large egg, beaten
2 T. melted butter
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. salt
1 c. chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the crust first: Whisk together 1-1/2 c. flour and 1/3 c. maple sugar; then cut in softened butter. Blend until mixture resembles coarse meal, dry and crumbly. Grease an 8" or 9" square pan. Press mixture into the bottom of pan. Bake 15 min.

To make the topping, combine 3/4 c. maple syrup, 1/2 c. maple sugar, beaten egg, melted butter, cream, vanilla, 1 T. flour, and salt. Beat well; then stir in nuts. Pour batter carefully over half-baked crust.

Return crust and topping to the oven. Bake until set, about 35 min. Cut into small bars and remove from pan to cool.

Makes 16 bars.

From Yankee magazine, Mar./Apr. 2011, p. 76.