Brownie Dream Bars

This is what it has looked like out back of my home for the last several days.  We have a winter wonderland, but I don’t like it when it is this cold.  It has not been above 25 degrees and gets as low as single digits at night.  I live in a valley that is basically a bowl, so when we have an inversion it can last awhile.  The weather people are saying that this will extend well into next week.

So, I made Brownie Dream Bars to warm me up.  This is another recipe that begins with either the Homemade Brownie Mix or a commercial mix.  Brownies with the crunchy, nutty topping of a dream bar.  So good.  It is very easy.  Just stir up the brownies, partially bake them, top with a mixture of eggs, sugar, and toasted nuts, and bake them some more.

You can use any toasted nut of choice in this.  I used walnuts this time.  I also really like this with toasted, slivered almonds.  When I use almonds, I add 1/2 t. almond extract to the topping mix.

Brownie Dream Bars
4 c. Homemade Brownie Mix
4 eggs at room temperature
2 t. vanilla
OR
1 pkg. (21 oz.) Brownie Mix and ingredients to make brownies

Topping:
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
2 c. finely chopped toasted nuts

Place the Homemade Brownie Mix in a large mixing bowl.  In a small mixing bowl combine eggs and vanilla and beat well.  Pour eggs into brownie mix and mix well.  OR  Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.
Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes.   Meanwhile, combine sugar, egg, vanilla and salt until thick and lemon-colored.  Fold in nuts.  Spread very carefully over partially baked brownies.  Use a spatula and put topping on a little at a time.  Return to oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes more.  Place pan on rack to cool thoroughly.  Cut into 3x1-inch bars.  Makes 58 bars.