Herbs de Provence Walnut Squares


Inspired by an old family recipe, these walnut bars have been updated to include herbs de Provence and lemon zest. I recently took them to an event where they were gobbled up quickly. Everyone wanted to know the secret ingredient. So, while it may seem strange to add a savory herb mixture to a dessert, it creates an exotic flavor that no one can put their finger on. Keep ‘em guessing!

 

 

Makes about 2 dozen squares

 

 

Ingredients:

– 2 large eggs

– 1 cup brown sugar

– ½ cup white flour

– 1 tsp. vanilla extract

– 1 tsp. herbs de Provence

– 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

– 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

– 1 Tbl. powdered sugar for garnish

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter a 22 x 22 cm metal or glass baking pan. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of flour and shake the pan to evenly distribute the flour, tamping out the excess.

Put the eggs and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer or hand held whisk, beat the eggs into the sugar until well incorporated. Add the flour and continue mixing until the flour disappears.

Add the vanilla, lemon zest, and herbs de Provence and mix well. Remove the beaters or whisk from the batter and stir in the walnuts with a spoon. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and slide into the preheated oven for 40 – 50 minutes or until lightly browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Evenly sprinkle the top with powdered sugar shaken through a sieve. Let the walnut squares cool before cutting.

Store the squares in an airtight container. If you don’t have one large enough for all of the squares, store the excess in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to eat these, let them come to room temperature before opening the container.

Note: You can buy Herbs de Provence at Dijon or make your own. The internet has many recipes for it.