Pecan Pie Bars

We went to a graduation open house for my husband's nephew. Some of his family made the drive from Michigan and it was such a nice surprise to see them as well since we only see them a couple times a year. It was a hot, hot day! I took my pecan pie bars. Doesn't matter where I take them, they are gone usually in less than an hour. I thought that recipe would make a wonderful post for today. There are so many summer parties going on and this is something that you might want to take. And for the record, I only had half of one. Stuck to my diet :)

Pecan Pie Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter or margarine, cut up

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup butter or margarine

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl; cut in 3/4 cup butter thoroughly with a pastry blender until mixture resembles very fine crumbs. Press mixture evenly into a greased 13" x 9" pan, using a piece of plastic wrap to press crumb mixture firmly in pan. Bake at 350° for 17 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Remove from heat. Stir one-fourth of hot mixture into beaten eggs; add to remaining hot mixture. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour filling over crust. Bake at 350° for 34 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yield: 16 large bars.