Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Yum!

I hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving.  Mine was wonderful just like it is every year.  Zack and I spent time in West Virginia with his family.  This was my seventh Thanksgiving with his family and boy am I thankful for them.  Zack's mom is an amazing cook and we stuffed out bellies.  My favorites this year were the cranberry sauce, the dressing, and the sweet potatoes.  Believe it or now I would not eat any of those dishes growing up unless it was cranberry jelly from a can.  You can ask my mom, I used to love that canned stuff! Since this is a baking blog, I bet you are wondering what we had for dessert.  I brought the pies this year which consisted of 2 Pecan Pies, 1 Pumpkin Pie, and a Cranberry Apple Pie.  The Pecan is my favorite, which is also a pie I would not eat growing up.  This post is probably shocking my mom.  I suppose I had to grow up eventually.

The Pecan Pie is also the favorite of my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, and my niece.  My niece told me that she never liked Pecan Pie until she had mine which is quite the compliment from an almost 14 year old. Since it is getting closer to the holidays and just about everybody will be looking for cookie and bar recipes I thought I would share a delicious recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie bars with you. These bars completely embody Pecan Pie.   I think they were great with the addition of the chocolate chips, but if you are more of a traditionalist you can definitely leave them out.


Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
recipe slightly adapted from Glorious Treats

Crust

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces

1-2 Tablespoons cold water

Filling

3 eggs

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups pecan halves, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line the bottom and sides of a 9"x13" baking pan with aluminum foil.

(For the crust)  In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat 3/4 cup butter, brown sugar and salt until smooth and creamy.  Add flour, and beat until coarse crumbs form.  While the mixer is running, add 1-2 tablespoons of cold water, as needed to help form dough.  Press dough into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan.  Prick the dough with a fork several times, randomly around the pan.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown.

(For the filling)  In a large bowl, mix eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, melted butter, bourbon and salt with a whisk until well blended.  Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.  Pour filling into baked crust.  Bake 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and filling is set.  Cool completely before cutting.