Chewy Walnut Squares

Lisa over at In a Nutshell claims to be "Nuts About Nuts - Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamias, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts And More". True to her blog name, she recently shared a a recipe for fabulous chewy walnut squares. I made these last weekend, and really loved their - well, wonderful chewy texture and strong nut flavour - and can heartily recommend these.

Chewy walnut squares
(Mõnusad pähkliruudud)
Source: Tina Salter Nuts: Sweet and Savory Recipes from Diamond of California



250 ml coarsely chopped walnuts
125 ml plain flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
250 ml brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg

Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast at 180˚C oven for 8-10 minutes, shaking the pan every now and then, until the nuts are nicely aromatic.
Line a 20x20 cm cake tin with a foil, so the foil is hanging over the edges. Brush generously with a vegetable oil.
Mix the flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.
Mix the sugar, vanilla extract and the egg in another bowl until combined. Fold in the dry mixture, followed by toasted nuts. The batter is rather thick, but persevere and it comes all together.
Spoon the batter into the lined cake tin.
Bake at 180˚C for 20-25 minutes, until the cake is slightly browned at the edges, but still softish in the middle.
Take out of the oven, lift carefully onto a metal rack to cool.
Cut into 5 cm squares with a sharp knife. Remove the foil.

Will keep in an airtight box for up to 5 days.