Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars with Brown Butter Glaze
Experience the warm embrace of spices this holiday season with Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars, inspired by a treasured family recipe from my dear friend, Barbara Weinrich. These delightful bars are subtly infused with exotic cardamom, harmonizing perfectly with the nutty crunch of walnuts or pecans. The pièce de résistance is the luscious browned butter icing that drizzles over the top, adding a decadent touch to these festive treats. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy afternoon snack, these bars capture the essence of Scandinavian baking and are sure to become a beloved tradition in your family as well.
N/A
Servings
125
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (n/a)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
large egg
1 (separated (yolk and white))
vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided (1 tsp for the dough, 1/2 tsp for glaze))
flour
2 cups (n/a)
cardamom
1 teaspoon (n/a)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (n/a)
chopped walnuts or pecans
1/3 cup (n/a)
butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (for browning)
confectioners' sugar
1 cup (n/a)
milk
as needed (for thinning glaze)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3
Add the egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture and beat until well combined.
4
Sift in the flour, cardamom, and salt, mixing until just combined to form a smooth dough.
5
Spread the dough evenly into an ungreased 10 x 15-inch baking pan, making sure to create an even layer.
6
In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until it becomes frothy but does not form peaks.
7
Brush the frothy egg white over the top of the dough and sprinkle your choice of chopped walnuts or pecans evenly across the surface.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
9
While the bars are baking, prepare the browned butter glaze. In a small saucepan, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until it turns a golden brown color and gives off a nutty aroma, then remove from heat.
10
Carefully stir in 1 cup of confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
11
Add enough milk, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve a drizzling consistency for your glaze.
12
Once the bars are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
13
Drizzle the browned butter icing over the baked bars, allowing it to soak in a bit for extra flavor.
14
Finally, cut the cooled bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
15g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars?
They are a festive holiday treat infused with exotic cardamom and topped with a nutty browned butter glaze, inspired by a traditional Scandinavian-style recipe.
Who is the original source of this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by a treasured family recipe from Barbara Weinrich.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to a low temperature of 275°F (135°C).
How much cardamom is used in this recipe?
One teaspoon of cardamom is sifted into the dough mixture.
What size pan should I use?
You should use a 10 x 15-inch baking pan.
Should I grease the baking pan before adding the dough?
No, the instructions specify spreading the dough into an ungreased baking pan.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
One large egg is needed, but it must be separated because the yolk goes in the dough and the white is used for the topping.
What is the total baking time?
The bars need to bake for approximately 1 hour.
What kind of nuts can be used for the topping?
You can use either 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.
How do I prepare the egg white for the topping?
Beat the egg white until it becomes frothy, but stop before it begins to form peaks.
What should the consistency of the glaze be?
The glaze should be at a drizzling consistency, which is achieved by adding milk one tablespoon at a time.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are finished when the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
How much butter is needed for the glaze?
You will need 1.5 tablespoons of butter to create the browned butter base for the icing.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains 125 calories, 7g of fat, 15g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein.
How do I brown the butter for the icing?
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma.
When should I add the vanilla extract?
The vanilla is divided: 1 teaspoon is added to the dough mixture and 1/2 teaspoon is added to the glaze.
What type of sugar is used in the dough?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar.
What type of sugar is used for the glaze?
The glaze requires 1 cup of confectioners' sugar.
Is it necessary to sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, the instructions recommend sifting the flour, cardamom, and salt together before mixing.
How should the bars be cut?
Once cooled, the bars should be cut into squares or rectangles.
Can I substitute the walnuts?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions pecans as a suitable alternative for the nutty crunch.
What is the texture of the dough before baking?
The dough should be mixed until it is just combined into a smooth consistency.
Why is the egg white brushed over the dough?
The frothy egg white acts as an adhesive for the chopped nuts and adds a finished texture to the surface.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including items for both the dough and the glaze.
Is this recipe good for Christmas?
Yes, it is tagged for Christmas and described as a perfect holiday tradition.
What should I do after drizzling the icing?
Allow the icing to soak into the bars slightly for extra flavor and wait for the bars to cool before cutting.
How much flour is required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of flour.
Should the butter for the dough be cold?
No, the butter for the dough should be softened for proper creaming.
Are these bars high in fiber?
Fiber content is not specified in the nutritional data, but the main ingredients are flour, butter, and sugar.
What makes the glaze 'decadent'?
The use of browned butter gives the icing a deep, rich, and nutty flavor profile.