Salted Mixed Nut Bars

If the Peppermint Crunch Bars posted on Thursday were for the peppermint lover, this Saturday Sweet is for the nut lover.

More a candy than a cook, Salted Mixed Nut Bars consist of a shortbread-like base with a topping of mixed nuts embedded in a butterscotch toffee candy.

The original recipe for these bars came from a Pillsbury Bake-Off.  I have adapted the recipe to use the Holiday Cookie Mix for the base.  You can probably tell by now that the mix can be used in any recipe that calls for a shortbread-like base.

This is another versatile recipe that can be changed up at will.  Any combination of nuts or a single nut can be used.  Salted nuts can be used or unsalted nuts with some salt added.  The chips can be almost any flavor.  Peanut butter chips with salted peanuts is one option.  Chocolate chips with almost any nut is another.

Don’t be afraid to use corn syrup.  It has nothing to do with high fructose corn syrup.

Salted Mixed Nut Bars
2 1/2 c. Holiday Cookie Mix
3 c. mixed nuts of choice
1 (11 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
1 c. corn syrup
1/4 c. butter
2 T. water
1 1/2 t. kosher salt

Measure cookie mix into a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Pat the mix out in the pan into an even layer.  Bake at 350 degrees 10 to 12 minutes or till golden brown.  Remove from oven and let set  5 minutes . Spread nuts over base in a single layer.  In a medium saucepan combine butterscotch chips, corn syrup, butter and water.  Cook and stir over medium heat, melting the chips and butter and bringing to a boil.  Boil and stir 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Stir in salt.   Quick and evenly pour mixture over the nuts spreading as evenly as possible.  Return pan to oven and bake 10-12 minutes.  Place pan on rack to cool completely.  Remove from pan and cut into 48 bars.

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