Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars
Indulge in these delightful Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars, which perfectly balance the warm, aromatic notes of cardamom and the sweetness of sugars. With a buttery, rich base and a drizzle of sweet frosting, these bars are perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying with tea. Easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious, this recipe brings a touch of warmth to any occasion. Your friends and family will be enchanted by the unique flavor and lovely texture of these scrumptious cookies!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter or Margarine
1 cup (softened)
Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup
Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Egg
1 (separated)
Vanilla or Almond Extract
1 teaspoon
Flour
2 cups
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Cardamom
1/2-1 teaspoon
Chopped Nuts
1/3 cup
Butter or Margarine (for frosting)
1 1/2 tablespoons
Powdered Sugar
1 cup
Vanilla (for frosting)
1/2 teaspoon
Milk
as needed (to thin frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until smooth and fluffy.
3
Add the egg yolk and your choice of vanilla or almond extract, and beat until well combined.
4
Gradually mix in the flour, salt, and cardamom untilfully incorporated, creating a smooth dough.
5
Spread the dough evenly into a greased 10x15-inch pan, ensuring an even layer.
6
Lightly beat the egg white and brush it over the surface of the dough to create a shiny finish.
7
Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top, pressing them gently into the dough for better adherence.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until golden brown and set.
9
Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
10
For the frosting, melt the remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown, then remove from heat.
11
Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
12
Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until you reach a drizzleable consistency.
13
Drizzle the frosting over the cooled cookie bars, then let it set for a few minutes.
14
Cut the bars into squares and serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars?
Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars are delightful dessert bars featuring a buttery base, warm cardamom notes, a nut topping, and a browned butter frosting drizzle.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 275 degrees Fahrenheit or 135 degrees Celsius.
What are the primary flavors in these bars?
The primary flavors are aromatic cardamom, rich butter, and sweet sugars, complemented by a nutty topping.
How do I prepare the butter and sugar mixture?
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
Which part of the egg goes into the dough?
The egg yolk is mixed into the dough, while the egg white is reserved for brushing over the surface.
What extracts can be used in this recipe?
You can use either vanilla extract or almond extract depending on your flavor preference.
How do I incorporate the dry ingredients?
Gradually mix the flour, salt, and cardamom into the creamed butter mixture until a smooth dough is formed.
What size pan is required for baking?
The recipe requires a greased 10x15-inch pan.
How is the egg white used?
The egg white is lightly beaten and then brushed over the surface of the dough before baking to create a shiny finish.
When should the nuts be added to the recipe?
Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the dough after brushing it with the egg white, then press them gently into the surface.
How long should the bars bake?
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The bars are finished when they appear golden brown and are set.
Where should the bars cool?
Allow the bars to cool completely while still in the pan on a wire rack.
How do you make the frosting?
Melt butter until golden brown, stir in powdered sugar and vanilla, and then gradually add milk until it reaches a drizzleable consistency.
What is the first step of the frosting process?
The first step is to melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat until it turns a golden brown color.
How much milk is needed for the frosting?
Add milk as needed, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is thin enough to drizzle.
When should the frosting be applied?
Drizzle the frosting over the cookie bars only after they have cooled completely.
How should the bars be sliced?
Once the frosting has set for a few minutes, cut the bars into even squares for serving.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either butter or margarine.
What kind of nuts should I use?
You can use any variety of chopped nuts for the topping.
Is cardamom essential to this recipe?
Yes, cardamom provides the unique, warm, and aromatic flavor that defines these bars.
How much cardamom is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cardamom.
What type of brown sugar is best?
The recipe specifies using packed brown sugar.
How many ingredients are in the Spiced Cardamom Bliss Bars?
There are 13 total ingredients, including those for the dough, topping, and frosting.
Is the frosting a glaze or a thick icing?
It is a drizzleable frosting made with browned butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
What occasions are these bars suited for?
They are perfect for gatherings, tea time, or as a homemade sweet treat for family.
Does the recipe use both granulated and brown sugar?
Yes, it uses 1/2 cup of each to achieve the right sweetness and texture.
What is the purpose of browning the butter for the frosting?
Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty depth of flavor to the frosting drizzle.
Should the dough be chilled?
The instructions do not require chilling; the dough is spread directly into the pan after mixing.
What is the texture of the finished bars?
The bars have a buttery, rich base with a slightly crunchy nut topping and a smooth frosting drizzle.