Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for the pan
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling:

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking sheet with 2 pieces of parchment paper, over lapping & the excess hanging off all sides. Spray parchment with cooking spray.

For the Crust:

In a large bowl, add flour, sugar, salt & cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the mixture is a sandy crumb like consistency. If you have a food processor, feel free to use that. Press mixture into bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until pale golden.

For the Filling:

While the crust is cooling slightly, combine brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, cream & butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat & stir in vanilla then pecans. Immediately pour filling over crust & let cool in pan for 1 hour.

Lift bars out of the pan & transfer to cutting board. Cut into 24 rectangles (6 rows by 4 rows). Store in an airtight container.