Pecan Bars

By MSfosterMOM

Ingredients

• 18 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup light-brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup light-brown sugar, firmly packed
• 6 tablespoons fresh honey (This is the secret ingredient! Don’t skimp on quality!)
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

Place rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°.
To make the crust: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add salt, and mix to combine. Add flour, 1 cup at a time, on medium speed mixing until fully incorporated after each addition. Continue mixing until the dough begins to come together in large clumps. Press dough about ¼-inch thick into a 9x13-1-inch baking pan. Prick the pastry with the tines of a fork. Bake until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Reduce oven to 325°.
To make the filling: Place butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour filling onto the cooled crust. Bake until filling bubbles, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully transfer pan to
a wire rack to cool completely. Run a paring knife around the edge of the pan and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.