Chocolate and Walnut Bars

It's been a real long while that I have blogged.....some commitments  take away all your attention sadly.However, it is always delightful to write a new post when in reality the drafts are full of posts that need to see the light of the day. Here, I present Chocolate and Walnut Bars....every bite is yumm..... as seen in the picture.

It is rich in taste though and wholesome with nuts and butter  & a lovely crumble as the topper ...........a simple and quick bars , a must try ......
Walnut cookie dough

Walnuts- 1 cup

Egg yolks-3

Sugar- 1/2 cup

Salt- 1/4 tsp

Vanilla extract-2 tsp

Grated lemon zest- 2 tsp

Chilled Unsalted butter- 1 cup ( 8 oz.)

All purpose flour- 1 3/4 cups

Chocolate Raspberry filling

Raspberry preserve- 1/2 cup

Semi sweet chocolate cut into chunks- 6 oz.

Nutty crumble topping

Sugar- 2 tbs

All purpose flour- 1/4 cup

Walnuts- 1/4 cup

Method:

• Finely process nuts in a food processor and set aside.
• Combine egg yolks, sugar,salt,vanilla,lemon zest and butter in the food processor .
• Start with 10-12 pulses and the continuously pulse for 5 seconds until combined
• Add flour and walnuts and process for five seconds 
• Scrape down and continue processing till the dough begins to form sticky crumbs but does not come together as a ball.
• Put dough in a plastic bag or a wrap and press together to form a ball. Chill for one hour.
• Preheat oven at 175-180C - I kept it at 180C as that is the safest temperature in my oven.

To Layer:

• Remove a small portion of the dough and put it aside in the refrigerator.
• Pat the remaining dough evenly on a square tin..let it reach it corners.
• Spread the preserve evenly with a spatula.
• Toss the chopped semi sweet chocolate all over the preserve.
• In a food processor - pulse sugar, flour, walnuts and the saved dough to a crumble.
• Sprinkle the crumble all over the chocolate bits.
• Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. The top may be a little sticky to touch but that should set while the bars cool.
• Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe source: 
From the book -Faye Levy's Chocolate Sensations as suggested by our Baking Partner Suja Manoj of Kitchen Corner - Try it . Thank you Suja and Swathi for this wonderful challenge for Baking Partners May 2014