Almond Chinese Chews Recipes

CHINESE CHEWS RECIPE (DATE-NUT BARS)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with parchment paper and folding it over the edges of the pan to make for easy removal and cleanup. (If you don't have parchment paper, use foil and grease it well.)
• Cut up the dates into small pieces with kitchen scissors. (They're really sticky to chop with a knife and don't do well in a food processor or blender.) It's best to cut a pitted date in half the long way, then cut those pieces in half the long way again. Then, snip each strip into pieces.
• If starting with walnut halves, chop them until you have one cup.
• In a glass bowl or other microwave-safe bowl, melt your butter in the microwave, covering it with wax paper to prevent splashing. Stir in the sugar.
• Add the eggs and vanilla to your bowl and mix with a spoon until blended. Add the flour and salt and stir. Stir in the dates and nuts until blended.
• Pour the batter into your baking pan and use a spatula to even it out. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. A toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center should come out clean.
• Let the pan cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Then lift out the Chinese Chews by grasping the parchment paper and transferring everything to a cutting board. Cut into squares (I did 16 large ones, but smaller squares work well, since they are rich tasting.)
• If you're not planning to freeze them, dust with confectioner's sugar. Transfer the bars to a rack to finish cooling. They taste best when completely cooled.
• Store at room temperature in an airtight container. You can freeze them without the confectioner's sugar and add the sugar when they are thawed.

ALMOND CHINESE CHEWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F Grease 13x9" baking pan; set aside.
• Beat granulated sugar and eggs in medium bowl with electric mixer until thoroughly blended. Add almond filling; beat until blended. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; fold into almond mixture. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into 2" x 1.5" bars. Dust with powdered sugar.

CHERRY ALMOND CHEWS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in coconut and nuts if desired. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Place a cherry half in the center of each. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

CHERRY ALMOND CHEWS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl cream shortening and sugar.
• Add the eggs one at a time,beating well after each addition.
• Beat in extract.
• Combine the flour baking soda and salt,gradually add to creamed mixture.
• Stir in coconut and nuts if desired.
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
• Place a cherry half in the center of each cookie.
• Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE CHEWS WITH VIDEO

Steps:

• In a large double boiler or large bowl over gently simmering water, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips for about 10 minutes.
• Once melted, turn off heat. Add raisins, cranberries, pretzels and almonds.
• Gently stir making sure no water gets into the bowl.
• Drop teaspoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet.
• Refrigerate until set for about 30 minutes.