Taste Test.
Have you ever had such a bad head cold that you can't seem to taste anything?
You're just so congested your ears are popping every time you swallow. The softest, fluffiest lotion lined tissues still feel like sand paper when you're blowing your nose every five minutes. And as if that isn't bad enough you're favourite batch of cookies taste like dust in your mouth.
Because I'm sick and I need to bake me up some medicine, because I'm afraid I might become permanently anosmic and ageusic, because I've spent way too much time feeling sorry for myself and because the kind people at California Walnuts sent me a generous sample of delicious walnuts. What better way to jump start your taste buds than with some of the most potent flavours? Chocolate, caramel and toasty walnuts.
Who needs chicken noodle soup when there's Walrus Bars?
Walrus Bars
Makes 2 dozen bars.
Source: Adapted from California Walnuts' Walrus Bars.
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup corn starch
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tbsp spiced rum
4 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and rough chopped
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position a rack in the center. Line a 11 x 17 baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, corn starch, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Mix in the butter until you're left with a crumbly but moist and consistent texture. Firmly and evenly press the dough into the prepared pan and bake it for 30 minutes.
While the shortbread layer is baking combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 3 minutes then remove it from the heat. Once the bubbling stops stir in the cream and spiced rum. Finally mix in the walnuts and spread it evenly over the baked shortbread layer.
Turn the oven down to 300 degrees and bake it for an additional 20 minutes. Let it cool for an hour or 2 so the caramel can set. Once cooled cut them into 24 squares and enjoy!
March 29th, 2011 - 19:22
Now that’s a fabulous way to eat walnuts! Feel better soon~
March 29th, 2011 - 19:38
I am so sorry that you are sick and hope you are well soon. These bars would definitely make me feel better!
March 29th, 2011 - 20:00
When you are back you are back..this look fantastic!!!! I love how you made it, I love your photos, recipe, presentation..well I love everything!:)) Thanks for sharing and welcome back!!!
March 29th, 2011 - 20:32
Thank you Sandra! It’s good to be back.
March 29th, 2011 - 20:11
Oh these look wonderful! Great post and lovely photos! Feel better, I so hate being sick!
March 29th, 2011 - 20:29
So sorry to hear you’re sick! I hate when I’m so stuffed up that I can’t smell or taste anything! These bars look fabulous!
March 29th, 2011 - 20:54
I hope you are feeling better as well. These walrus bars would be the perfect thing to make me better!
March 29th, 2011 - 22:15
I’ve been a bit sick all over the weekend and now I’m left with cough and no voice. Zero. Nada. I just can’t talk (hubby very happy of course lol). Do you think these bars could cure me? I bet so!
March 29th, 2011 - 22:54
That sounds horrible! On the upside you could teach yourself ASL.
March 29th, 2011 - 22:15
Sorry that you are not feeling well. Didn’t I just read on someone’s blog that walnuts are the healthiest nut? Besides the fact that these look amazing, that seems like a good enough reason to make these.
March 29th, 2011 - 22:53
I’m going to pretend I knew that already.
March 29th, 2011 - 23:12
Oh you poor thing! So many germs flying about – I’ve been dealing with my son…and daughter…now hubby getting sick. Crossing my fingers it doesn’t get me, too. Hope you feel better soon…how could you not with these bars! Wow.
March 29th, 2011 - 23:14
I hope you don’t fall prey to the same cold! Be strong!
March 30th, 2011 - 04:04
There are lot of 1½’s in the recipe! Interesting
March 30th, 2011 - 11:28
Lol yeah weird right?
March 30th, 2011 - 07:15
Luckily the cold hasn’t hampered your creative baking senses. These could become the cure for the common cold.
March 30th, 2011 - 07:51
Im a total tool because you just blew my mind. I love walnuts in things but how could it have never crossed my mind that there exists such a thing as a walnut bar. There are bars for everything… How’d I miss out on this my whole life. Time to change that! Your pics are amazing as always
Can’t wait to try these
March 30th, 2011 - 11:29
Thank Kita! The simplest things are usually the best things.
March 30th, 2011 - 08:04
This really looks delish!
Yum!
March 30th, 2011 - 09:13
I would have this any day! It looks delish.
March 30th, 2011 - 10:09
These bars look super delicious, I love love love walnuts. Always keep a big container in the freezer! I hope you feel better soon, being sick is the worst!
March 30th, 2011 - 11:27
All of the previous comments have said, very well, what I would say. Baking while sick. You may have found the key to wellness…doing what makes you and others happy! I love this perspective.
March 30th, 2011 - 11:32
To my surprise I feel much better now.
March 30th, 2011 - 18:18
haven’t had these pictures make them look delicious
March 30th, 2011 - 22:46
I’m glad you’re feeling better so soon. I haven’t been cooking, eating or posting lately for the same reason. I couldn’t taste a thing for over two weeks I was so sick. It was really weird to have no sense of taste at all.
March 30th, 2011 - 23:42
That would be horrible Judy! I’m glad it wasn’t permanent.
March 31st, 2011 - 01:39
looks amazing! I’m glad you’re feeling better and blogging again, i missed your posts.
Beautiful photos.
March 31st, 2011 - 13:33
The spiced rum…could it be left out? Or could you think of an substitution?
March 31st, 2011 - 21:32
A tbsp of rum extract would work just as well or it can be left out entirely.
March 31st, 2011 - 16:26
can i replace the spiced rum for anything else?
thanks^^
March 31st, 2011 - 21:32
The spiced rum can be replaced with rum extract or just left out completely.
March 31st, 2011 - 16:48
This does look like a treat to make all illnesses better. Amazing goodies.
March 31st, 2011 - 17:55
Your Mommy is now feeling under the weather but your Walrus Bars are the cure. My kind of medicine!
Love you!
Mom
March 31st, 2011 - 21:14
Sure hope you are feeling better! And yep… I’ve been there! My son is just recovering from such a cold and was afraid he would never taste again. We’ll have to keep these on hand for such an emergency!
March 31st, 2011 - 21:34
Lol I like the sound of that. Emergency bars!
March 31st, 2011 - 23:18
I love those bars! The walnuts on top are just so enticing. And I hope you feel better soon! I know how terrible it is when you can’t taste anything because of a cold
April 1st, 2011 - 05:28
Hi there!
Same thing happens here in Athens Greece I guess and it’s not just me! 10+ sick days (hey fever, nasty virus …) and now sinusitis (my head is going to explode …). I hope you get well soon
Your recipe looks great, I was wondering how can I substitute the heavy cream in the caramel since I am fasting. I have bought some great soy milk lately, can I use some of that instead;
Thanks in advance!
April 1st, 2011 - 20:12
I think soy milk should work just fine in the caramel. Good luck!
April 1st, 2011 - 16:50
I would take these over a bowl of chicken noodle soup any day! I love walnuts. I just might have to make these this weekend!
April 2nd, 2011 - 21:53
Wow. These look amazing.
Just wanted to drop by and say that I’ve nominated you for a little award on my site. Check it out! Thanks for having such a great site and content, girlie!
April 4th, 2011 - 15:54
Thanks so much Charissa!
April 7th, 2011 - 11:09
My mom loves walnuts, and these have her name all over them! Thanks!
April 18th, 2011 - 22:20
I just discovered your blog! Awesome!
I was wondering if there was a good substitution for the spiced rum. Thanks!
April 18th, 2011 - 22:58
Hi Patsy! You can substitute it with rum extract or leave it out entirely.