Pecan Bars

Pecan Bars

From Ellen's kitchen, with thanks to Kyoko

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pecans
• Crust:
• 2 sticks softened butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour
• Filling:
• 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp vanilla

Preheat:

• oven to 350.  Spread pecans on cookie sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes.  Set aside.  

Line:

• 13 x 9 baking pan with foil, leaving at least 1" overlap on all sides of pan.

To make crust, beat:

• butter and sugar together.  Add flour and salt and mix until dough is smooth.  Press dough evenly into baking pan.

To make filling, combine:

• brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in pan.  Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and add cream and vanilla.  Stir in toasted pecans and mix well.  Pour topping over crust and spread evenly.  Foldthe foil inward 1" over edges to prevent overbaking the ends.  

Bake:

• about 20 minutes in middle of oven, then cover the top with foil and bake on lower rack for another 10 minutes.