Blazin' Cajun Peanut Bars

CRUST:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup plain cornmeal
½ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter, cut into pieces

FILLING:

1 cup maple flavored syrup (pancake syrup)
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter
4 large eggs, beaten
2 ½ cups chopped The Good Earth Gourmet Cajun Virginia Peanuts
½ teaspoon almond extract

Heat oven to 350F. Line bottom of nonstick sprayed 9 by 13 by 2-inch pan with parchment paper; spray again. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt in large bowl. Using pastry blender, cut in butter thoroughly until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Press mixture firmly into bottom of pan. Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until light golden brown.

Meanwhile, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, butter and salt in small saucepan over medium heat; bring to boil, stirring. Remove from heat. Using wire whisk, add about ¼ of hot mixture slowly into beaten eggs; add remaining mixture, whisking to combine. Stir in peanuts and almond extract. Pour filling evenly over warm crust.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until set and golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack. Remove from pan and cut into bars. Discard parchment paper. Makes 35 bars.

MARY LOUISE LEVER

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