Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients

• Ingredients for Topping
• 2-1/2 cups pecans
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon dark rum or rum extract
• Ingredients for Base
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chilled unsalted butter cut into bits

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish.
2. 2
   Toast whole pecans for 7 to 8 minutes until fragrant. Break into pieces when cool.
3. 3
   Prepare the base first. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press mixture evenly into pan. Use a piece of plastic wrap to help press the dough down evenly.
4. 4
   Bake at for 17 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
5. 5
   Combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a saucepan. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Remove from heat and whisk one-fourth of hot mixture into beaten eggs to temper; add to remaining hot mixture. Stir in pecan pieces, vanilla and rum, coating pecans completely. Pour filling over crust.
6. 6
   Bake for 34 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.