Shelly's Recipe

SYMPHONY BARS

Category: Bars

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
2 cups walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
Red and green maraschino or candied cherries

Vanilla Butter Frosting:
5 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 4 to 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and salt. Gradually add flour; beat just until smooth. Mix in nuts. Spread half the batter into a lightly buttered 9x13 inch baking pan.

Add chocolate to remaining batter; combine. Top vanilla layer with chocolate batter. Do not mix the two layers. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Frost with Vanilla Butter Frosting. Cut bars into 2x1 1/2 inch pieces. Top each bar with cherries, if desired, alternating red and green.

Vanilla Butter Frosting: In a 1 quart saucepan, combine flour and milk. Cook over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; cool completely.

In a small mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Gradually add flour-milk mixture; beat at high speed for 5 minutes, or until frosting becomes creamy and smooth. Spread on bars.