Maple-Walnut Bars with shortbread crust Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened (12 Tbsp.)
• ⅓ cup maple sugar or packed light brown sugar
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp. table salt
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• ⅔ cup maple sugar or packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 Tbsp. bourbon (optional)
• 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. table salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• Heavy cream or whipped cream