Chocolate Nut Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350.
• 2 line 8" square baking pan with foil, pressing foil into corners to cover completely and leaving 1" overhang on sides.
• 3 spread oats on ungreased baking sheet. bake 8-10 minutes, or until light golden brown. let cool, then place in large bowl.
• 4 reduce oven temperature to 325.
• 5 spread hazelnuts and walnuts on baking sheet. bake 9-11 minutes or just until cut sides begin to brown lightly. let cool, then add to toasted oats.
• 6 stir in confectionary sugar, then set aside.
• 7 heat chocolate chips and shortening in small heavy saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. remove from heat.
• 8 spread evenly on bottom of prepared 8" square pan.
• 9 let stand in cool place 15-20 minutes, or until chocolate mixture begins to set, but is not firm.
• 10 combine butter and salt in microwavable bowl. microwave on high 20-30 seconds, or until butter is melted and foamy.
• 11 stir in corn syrup. let cool slightly, and add vanilla.
• 12 stir corn syrup mixture into oat mixture, just until moistened.
• 13 gently spoon over chocolate, spreading evenly into corners.
• 14 score lightly into 4 strips, then score each strip into 6 pieces.
• 15 cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or until firm.
• 16 remove bars from pan, lifting foil by edges.
• 17 place on cutting board; cut along score lines into 24 pieces. remove foil.
• 18 store in airtight container in refrigerator.