RUSTIC NUT BARS

Steps:

• Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees F and place oven rack in the middle position.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Cut the chilled butter into the flour mixture.
• Continue this process with the butter until all the butter is gone and the flour-mixture looks like a coarse meal in pea-sized butter lumps.
• Add the egg to the flour.
• Mix dough using a rubber spatula or (clean) hands until butter and egg are incorporated efficiently.
• Place the dough in a 13"x9" buttered glass baking dish.
• Press the dough evenly on bottom. Do not press up the sides of the dish.
• Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove, allow to cool for 40 minutes and set aside.
• ** (optional) Meanwhile, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Place the almonds and hazelnuts in a shallow baking dish and roast in the oven from 8-10 minutes.
• Remove, and increase the oven temperature back to 375 degrees F. **(optional).
• In a medium sized sauce pan, bring the honey, brown sugar and salt to a small boil over a medium heat.
• Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then boil, without stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add butter and cream and continue to boil for one minute, allowing the butter to melt. Remove from heat and add all of the nuts to the syrup, coating thoroughly.
• Spread nut mixture over the cookie crust. Place baking dish back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the top has carmelized and bubbled.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool in refrigerator for an hour.
• Cut and serve.