Indulge in the rich, buttery elegance of Viennese Chocolate Walnut Bars, a decadent treat that combines a crisp shortbread crust with a luxurious walnut-maple filling and a silky chocolate glaze. Perfectly balanced between nutty sweetness and subtle caramel notes, these bars are made from simple pantry staples like brown sugar, maple syrup, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, yet offer a sophisticated flavor profile that makes them ideal for holidays, tea parties, or dessert indulgences. With just 20 minutes of prep time and irresistible layers of texture—crumbly, gooey, and smooth—this recipe is your ticket to a show-stopping dessert that looks as impressive as it tastes. Serve these walnut-studded delights chilled for best results, paired with a steaming cup of coffee or tea!
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the vanilla extract and mix briefly to form a dough. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and prick the surface lightly with a fork.
Bake the shortbread crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while preparing the filling.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth and combined. Fold in the chopped walnuts to create the filling.
Pour the walnut filling over the pre-baked shortbread base, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
For the chocolate glaze, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from the heat and pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Pour the chocolate glaze evenly over the cooled walnut bars, using a spatula to spread it evenly to the edges.
Refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set. Once firm, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and slice into 16 squares or bars.
Serve and enjoy your Viennese Chocolate Walnut Bars with a hot cup of coffee or tea!
Calories |
5701 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 348.6 g | 447% | |
| Saturated Fat | 141.1 g | 706% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 986 mg | 329% | |
| Sodium | 305 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 612.1 g | 223% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.9 g | 107% | |
| Total Sugars | 387.8 g | ||
| Protein | 87.7 g | 175% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.0 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 402 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 23.4 mg | 130% | |
| Potassium | 1545 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.