Maple Pecan Pie Bars

Rev. 21-Nov-2016

"For the past 20-something years, we've hosted a holiday open house the weekend before Christmas. My sister, my mom (when she was still with us) and I would bake for days, filling the house with the intoxicating smells of cinnamon and vanilla and chocolate."

Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling time | Makes 2 to 3 dozen bars, depending on size

Crust -- 350 F

• 2 1/2 cups (10 2/3 ounces) flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cold, cut into pieces

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Line the bottom of the baking pan with aluminum foil, and lightly grease the foil. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar and salt. With the machine running, add the butter pieces and continue to process until the mixture resembles very fine, moist crumbs. The mixture won't come completely together in the processor.

3. Turn the crumbs out onto the prepared baking sheet and, using your hands, gently press to form a smooth, even layer. Bake until the crust is a light golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

Maple pecan pie bars -- 350 F

• 3/4 cup (1 2/3 sticks) butter
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 2 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans
• Prepared crust

1. While the crust is baking, combine the butter, brown sugar, maple and corn syrups in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter has melted and the mixture is completely combined and smooth. Cook one additional minute, then remove from heat and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla and salt. Slowly whisk in about one-fourth cup of the warm sugar mixture to temper the eggs. Slowly whisk in another one-fourth cup, then slowly stir in the rest. When fully combined, stir in the pecans.

3. Pour the pecan mixture over the prepared crust. Return to the oven and bake until the pecan mixture is bubbling and jiggles when gently tapped, an additional 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Remove from the oven and place the sheet on a rack to cool completely. Lift the foil from the sheet to get the cookies out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve. The bars will keep nicely in an airtight container.

Each of 36 bars: Calories 231; Protein 2 grams; Carbohydrates 24 grams; Fiber 1 gram; Fat 15 grams; Saturated fat 6 grams; Cholesterol 35 mg; Sugar 16 grams; Sodium 65 mg

[Sharon Graves, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec 2014]
http://recipes.latimes.com/recipe-maple-pecan-pie-bars/