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I started reading Divergent. I had the trilogy on my Amazon wishlist for a while and I’m not a huge reader so I didn’t want to buy them yet and was saving them for my 19-hour plane ride in April…..that is until I saw the trailer for Divergent and I knew I had to read the book before I went to see the movie, haha. I’m completely captivated in this book now. It reminds me a lot of Hunger Games but different. I really like how the story unfolds and it’s a pretty easy read. Not much to think about ;) I wish I could find more books like this. I was entranced in Hunger Games and Harry Potter. I hope the Divergent trilogy will keep me interested until I’m done with the trilogy but what comes after that? What book(s) next? Any suggestions?
I have always wanted to be a reader and wanted to be like those people who’s noses are stuck in their Kindles at the beach or pool, but from a young age, I loathed it. It was a struggle for me in class to ever retain any information; probably because a lot of the books they forced you to read were books that they made you read in between the lines and find out symbolism and all this crap. I just want to read a book, not dissect it! The questions that were like, “in line 29104 of Oedipus, what symbolic thing did he do and what were his reasons for it?” Yes, cause I can remember line 29104. I did, however, fall in love with The Bell Jar and The Great Gatsby. I flunked the Romeo + Juliet test in my AP English class (seriously, don’t ask me why I even signed up for AP English – my worst subject). My teacher handed my test back to me and on it in big red marker said, “F – did you even read this?” hahahaha – what?! I thought it was like the movie so I didn’t actually think I had to READ it. CLEARLY we all know movies + books are totally made the same.
If you don’t like nuts, you probably won’t like these bars, but if you love cheesecake and nuts, you’ll adore these! They’re very rich and very dense and you can probably only have one at a time, but they’re worth every bite! I brought these to my Pure Barre class one afternoon and everyone indulged in them after class. It was our reward! These bars got raving reviews so I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as everyone else did! :)
Hazelnut Pecan Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 ½ cup (126 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoon (84 g) unsalted butter, melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 16 ounce (454 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 eggs
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (118 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the topping
- 1 cup (120 g) chopped hazelnuts
- 1 cup (109 g) chopped pecans
- ½ cup (171 g) light corn syrup
- 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (165 g) dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Line a 9-by-13 inch pan with parchment paper with a 2-inch overhang on either side.
- In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Mix together until crumbs are moistened and when you grab a clump, it forms a shape – kind of like wet sand. Press the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside. Lower oven temperature to 350 °F (177 °C)1 1/2 cup (126 g) graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 6 tablespoon (84 g) unsalted butter
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and flour. Gently pour cheesecake batter on top of the graham cracker crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes until just set. Remove from oven but keep oven temperature. Let cheesecake cool for 20 minutes.16 ounce (454 g) cream cheese, 3 eggs, 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (118 ml) milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- In the meantime, combine hazelnuts, pecans, corn syrup, butter, dark brown sugar, egg, and salt in a bowl. Stir together until everything is combined well.1 cup (120 g) chopped hazelnuts, 1 cup (109 g) chopped pecans, 1/2 cup (171 g) light corn syrup, 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter, 3/4 cup (165 g) dark brown sugar, 1 egg, Pinch of salt
- Carefully spread the nut mixture on top of the slightly cooled cheesecake layer. The middle will likely fall in and cheesecake may ooze out around the nut filling, but it’s ok, just gently keep spreading it across the entire pan!
- Bake for another 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely. Place in the refrigerator overnight to set and slice into squares before serving.
Nutrition
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These look so amazing, great pics!
Well these sound pretty darn phenomenal!
Julie, it is hard for me to even imagine you getting an F grade on any class assignment in school! But, these bars? You aced it, girl! Thanks for sharing. Already pinned!
Cheesecake and a ton of nuts?! Yes, please!
Absolutely stunning bars, Julie!
those nuts in there look soooo good!!! and about the book, I am currently trying get back into it – The Storyteller is a beautiful one.
Love the new design, Julie! It’s so sleek, clean, easy to navigate, and purple (of course!). Gorgeous.
I love nuts in my desserts, especially if cheesecake is involved. I had this amazing cheesecake last month – the crust was made form pecans. You would’ve loved it!
Loving that thick layer of nuts on top.
JULIE! These bars are the definition of food love! You’re killing me over here! *wink*
I really liked the first book in the Divergent series, but kind of got bored with the second book and never ended up finishing it, which I *never* do. Was kind of meh. BUT! I loved the Maze Runner series! Kept me from slipping into a deep book depression after I finished the Hunger Games. I also loved the book Cannibal Reign, it’s about an asteroid hitting the earth and the people who are left trying to survive. Highly recommend.
I’ve always been a reader but I’m picky about what I read. I loved Divergent! I’m thinking about reading it again soon.
These bars look amazing! I can never say no to hazelnut.