Waldorf Squares

Cookie Base:
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter
1 cup flour

Filling:
2 eggs
½ cup packed light=brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Maple syrup
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans plus whole nuts for garnish, optional
1 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder

Frosting:
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 box (1 pound) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
¼ cup heavy cream
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

1. Cookie base: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan.
Cut butter into small pieces; work into flour by hand or with pastry cutter. Pack evenly into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.
Filling: In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until combined. Stir in vanilla, maple syrup, nuts and coconut. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Fold into egg mixture. Spread evenly over the cooled cookie base.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Frosting: Cream butter until soft. Gradually add half of the sugar. Beat in 2 Tablespoons cream and all of the vanilla. Gradually blend in remaining sugar and enough cream for a good consistency. Frost; let set up for 30 minutes. To serve cut into 48 squares. Top with nut.