Dark Chocolate Walnut Squares

Dark Chocolate Walnut Squares

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 2/3 cups (10 ounces) dark chocolate chips, divided (I like Ghirardelli)
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease 13x9-inch baking pan.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add flour, sugar and salt and continue beating until crumbly.

Dip fingertips in flour and then press 2 cups of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside remaining crumb mixture.

Bake crust for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

In a small heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup dark chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Stir continuously (to prevent burning) until completely melted and smooth. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla.

Pour chocolate over partially baked crust and spread evenly.

Stir walnuts and remaining 2/3 cup chocolate chips to reserved crumb mixture until evenly distributed. Sprinkle crumble topping over chocolate layer.

Bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set.

Allow pan to cool completely on wire rack before cutting bars into desired size and shape.

This recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen Dark Chocolate Walnut Squares.