A Southern Treat: Chocolate, Walnuts, and Bourbon in Each Decadent Bite

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, extending over edges; coat with cooking spray.
For crust, place next four ingredients (through salt) in a food processor. Cover and process until mixed. Add the cold butter, 1 Tbsp. at a time, pulsing until incorporated and texture resembles coarse sand. Add cold bourbon, 1 Tbsp. at a time, pulsing until mixture begins to form a dough. Press evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake crust until set, 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, for filling, in medium bowl whisk together next seven ingredients (through vanilla) until combined. Sprinkle walnuts and chocolate chips over crust; pour filling over top.
Bake until filling is golden brown and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. If you like, sprinkle with sea salt. Use foil to lift out uncut bars. Cut into bars.

For easy removal of bars, line the pan with aluminum foil. To do this, tear a piece of foil larger than the pan. Flip pan over; shape foil around the bottom, folding foil smoothly around corners. Turn pan right side up; fit shaped foil inside. Leave some overhang to help lift cooled bars. Grease foil if recipe calls for a greased pan.