Rachael Ray

By cnash

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound butter
• 1 cup honey
• 3 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from rachaelray.com

Preparation

Step 1

I have to admit I am not typically a huge fan of nuts in desserts (at all) but these pecan bars are irresistible. One bar is basically a pecan pie in a single serving, plus there is a slight citrus undertone, which cuts the sweetness. Sounds odd but it works. This recipe makes an enormous number of bars – a whole sheet-pan – so bring to a huge party or plan to give away to friends. They keep wrapped well in the fridge for up to a week (!) – another bonus.

Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.

For the crust, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18-inch x 12-inch x 1-inch inch baking sheet, pushing the dough up the sides slightly to form an edge. Flour your hands and the dough when pressing the dough into pan – it will be sticky. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Let cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar and zests in a large saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted. Turn up the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the heavy cream and pecans. Pour all but about a cup of the topping over the crust – if you use it all, it may drip over the sides of the pan into your oven. Bake for 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool, wrap tightly,and refrigerate until ready to serve – they will keep up to a week.

Balloon Whisk

Mixing Bowls