FALLing in love with Pecan Pie Bars!

These lovely little bits of glory are the nemesis to many a faithful dieter.  Its ok, though. they are pretty much worth every lump and bump they create.  I make them if and only if I can deliver them to someone, so that I am not personally responsible for their consumption--or because I am just that generous.  Recently,  I was in charge of cookies and cookie bars for a work event and was asked by one of the aforementioned dieters, "are you making those pecan pie bars?" when I said yes, she shook her head and said, "I was hoping you would say no." --I am sort of jumping to conclusions here, but I am fairly sure that she meant that they would ruin her diet and that she would be unable to say no to their pecan-y goodness. -not that she didn't want me to make them because they're gross.  They're not gross. In fact, you should make them  and see for yourself. They're really easy and they make you happy.

Pecan Pie Bars

what you need: mixer of choice, foil, 9x13 baking dish, 350 oven, medium sized sauce pan

for the crust:
2 sticks softened unsalted butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

mix together with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. It will be very dry and soft.  Line the baking dish with foil, leave enough foil for you grasp to be able to lift the finished bars out of the pan later. Press the crust mixture completely covering the bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

for the filling
In a medium sized sauce pan, over medium heat, melt the following:
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup light karo syrup
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 cups chopped pecans

allow the mixture to bubble a bit, just long enough to wait on your crust to come out of the oven. Pour the filing atop the crust and return to the oven another 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. (this takes a while) Grasping the foil, lift the bars from the pan and peel back the foil from the edges. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares and serve to the people you love the most.  --or your co-workers. --or both. --or neither. just eat them.