Gascon Walnut Bars - walnut halves

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan and line the bottom with wax paper or parchment.
• In a food processor, finely grind 1 cup of the walnuts with 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 4 tablespoons of the butter with the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg yolks, 1 at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next.
• Stir in the ground walnuts.
• Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the beaten whites into the walnut batter, then pour into the prepared pan.
• Tilt the pan to evenly distribute the batter.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is set and begins to pull away from the side of the pan.
• Transfer to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around the side of the pan and turn the cake out onto a serving plate to cool completely.
• In a food processor, pulse the remaining 1 cup of walnuts with the confectioners' sugar until finely ground.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and pulse until creamy.
• Spread the frosting evenly over the cake.
• Using the edge of a tablespoon, make a decorative pattern in the frosting.
• Cut the cake into 1-by-2-inch bars and serve.