Pecan Pie Bars

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup softened butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Filling Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup
• 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

• Heat over to 350 degrees F
• Combine 1 3/4 cups flour, softened butter and sugar in a bowl.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
• Add the 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• Press crust mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch ungreased baking dish
• Bake 18-22 minutes or until the edges are very light golden brown
• Combine filling ingredients
• Evenly distribute the 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans over the hot partially baked crust
• Pour the filling ingredients over the top of the pecans
• Bake 30-35 minutes or until filling is set and knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean.
• Cool completely (refrigerate overnight)
• Cut into bars

I find putting the pecans on top of the crust and pouring the filling over the top of the nuts helps the nuts to evenly rise to the top.  Cooling the bars completely is a must.  Since the bars need to be completely cooled before cutting they can be made ahead which is another plus for a delicious carry out dessert.  One of the stitch girls made these pecan bars for the last gathering, they were delicious!