Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

These buttery pecan pie cookie bars are easy to make. I was at a gathering the other day and one of the guests, Carla, brought these delightful treats. She was willing to share her recipe with me.

Makes: 24 bars

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups flour

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup butter, room temperature

Filling

11/2 cups dark corn syrup

2/3 cup dark brown sugar

4 large eggs

1/3 cup flour

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups toasted coarsely-chopped pecans

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F

Combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar and baking powder in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat in the butter to the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil that extends to the edges of the pan. Press crust mixture evenly into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.

While the crust is baking, make the filling:

Combine all filling ingredients into a bowl, except the pecans. Mix well.

Once filling is smooth and combined, stir in the pecans.

When the crust has finished baking, remove from oven and evenly spread with pecan filling.

Put the filled pan back in the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until a knife is inserted and comes out clean.

Cool completely, then cut into squares for serving.

— Barbara Rexford