Decadent Nut and Chocolate Bars

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
5. While the crust cools, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the warm crust.
6. Evenly distribute the chopped mixed nuts over the chocolate chips.
7. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the nuts and chocolate.
8. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the chocolate is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into squares. Cooling completely is crucial for clean cuts.
10. Store the Nut and Chocolate Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Tips

• For extra flavor, lightly toast your chopped nuts in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the bars.
• If your parchment paper doesn't stay put, use a tiny dab of butter in the corners of the pan to hold it down before pressing in the dough.
• Ensure the crust is cooled slightly before adding the chocolate chips; this prevents the chocolate from sinking too much into the crust.
• For precise cuts, chill the cooled bars in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate bars, to suit your preference.