Pecan Shortbread Bars

By exdircomp

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• Pecan Filling:
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup dark corn syrup (or golden syrup)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Details

Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick cooking spray, a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan .

Crust: In a small bowl, whisk or sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until soft and fluffy (about 2 - 3 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Then beat in the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse meal (do not over beat). Stir in the finely chopped pecans. (This mixture will be like crumbs.) Press the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for about 10 minutes or until very lightly browned. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.

Pecan Filling: In a large bowl whisk or beat the eggs until foamy. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, flour, salt, and vanilla extract and whisk until combined. Pour over the baked crust and then sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes or until firm and nicely browned. Let cool in the pan and then cut into squares. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator