Pecan Squares

[Kitchen Witch]

Pecan Squares

* 1-1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup softened butter
* 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
* 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup light corn syrup (Karo)
* 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x9-inch baking dish.

To make the base, cream the butter and brown sugar well. Stir together the sifted flour and baking powder, and add to the creamed mixture along with the finely chopped pecans, mixing well. Pat dough firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 7 minutes and remove from oven.

While the base is baking, make the topping. Beat the eggs until foamy, then add the corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, flour and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, then pour over partially baked base. Sprinkle the coarsely chopped pecans evenly over top.

Return completed dish to oven, and bake for 15 minutes or until barely tinged with gold. Do not overbake or base will be too crisp at outside edge. Cut into squares or bars while slightly warm. Let cool in baking dish. When cool, remove with spatula and store in single layers between sheets of waxed paper in tightly covered container.