Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and trim a sheet of parchment paper to fit inside a 18x13 rimmed baking sheet. *This is the jelly roll size baking sheet.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, as well as the baking powder and salt then beat until combined.

Step 3

Add the flour and mix in until your flour is fully incorporated into a smooth dough. Transfer the dough to your parchment paper-lined baking sheet and press to fill the baking sheet in an even layer. *You can also roll the dough out between sheets of parchment paper until is close to your pan size, then transfer and finish pressing to fill the baking sheet.

Step 4

Dock the entire surface of the shortbread base using the tines of a fork. Then, coat the top of the shortbread pastry dough with a layer of the apricot jam, jelly, or preserves. *Use a drizzle of warm water to make the jam more spreadable.

Step 5

In a small saucepan add the butter and rum (or water), light brown sugar, and vanilla extract and heat over medium until the sugar is dissolved without bringing the sauce to a boil.

Step 6

Chop your hazelnuts or crush them in a plastic bag using the flat side of a meat mallet or tenderizer (or anything heavy!) until course in texture.

Step 7

Add the chopped hazelnuts and ground hazelnut meal to the sauce and mix until combined. Drop onto the shortbread base in large dollops, then spread over the apricot layer using your spatula to push the nut layer over the entire surface in an even layer.

Step 8

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 nor until light golden brown in color on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely overnight, or until the bars reach room temperature and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to set up completely.

Step 9

Use a sharp knife to cut the Nussecken into 30 squares, then cut each square in half diagonally to make triangles.

Step 10

Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl (with optional butter if desired) in 30-second increments on high power. Stir between each heating until melted and smooth.

Step 11

Dip the corners of each Nussecken into the melted chocolate then place the coated triangles onto a cooling rack or a sheet of parchment paper to set.