The Cookbook

Pecan Pie Bars

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup, can be light or dark
1/2 cup butter
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour, sugar and salt in large bowl; cut in 3/4 cup butter until mixture resembles very fine crumbs. Press mixture evenly into a greased 13" x 9" pan (I use pyrex). Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Remove from heat. Stir one-fourth of hot mixture into beaten eggs; add to remaining hot mixture. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour filling over crust. Bake for 34-35 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 16 large bars.

Note: I run a knife around the edge of these while they are still warm, let cool complete4ly in the pan, then turn out on a large cutting board. Turn right side up, then cut into bars. They are pretty rich and we like to sample ALL the desserts, so I cut them into smaller bars. I refrigerate them after they have completely cooled.

Knotlazy