Noel Bars

Makes 12 bars.

For the crust

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into bits

For the topping:

• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon double acting baking powder
• 3 large eggs, beaten lightly
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups coursely chopped hazlenuts, toasted

1. Make the crust: In a bowl whisk together the flour, the brown sugar, and the salt, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it resembles meal.  Press the mixture onto the bottom of a baking pan, 13 x 9 x 2″, and bake the crust in the middle of preheated 350 F oven for 12 minutes.  Let the crust cool in the pan on a rack.
2. Make the topping: In a bowl whisk together the brown sugar, the flour, the baking powder, the eggs, and the vanilla and stir in the hazlenuts.
3. Pour the topping evenly over the crust and bake the mixture in the middle of the preheated 350 F oven for 25-30 minutes, or cool until it is golden.  Let the mixture cool completely in the pan on a rack and cut it into 12 bars.