Chunky Pecan Bars

I love to bake :-) I have always loved to bake, and I have always had a sweet tooth.  The other day I was wanting to make some cookies so that I could take some over to my Grandparents on the weekend.  Flipping through the cookbooks, and I found a few new cookie recipes to try.  But then I came across this recipe for Chunky Pecan Bars in my copy of Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies & Bars.   Needless to say, I was sold!  Here is the recipe:

Base

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes

Filling
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350F.  

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar.  Using a pastry blender or two knives, blend the butter with the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly.  Press into the preparing baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden.

While the base is baking, in a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla.  Blend well, using a whisk.  Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.  Pour over the base.

Bake for 20-25 minutes (22 at our house) or until set.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting and serving.


VERDICT:
Our oldest gave a thousand thumbs up and a great big smile through his chocolate covered face :-)  Of course, I quite enjoyed them too.  And of course, we ate them when we were still warm ;-)  A perfect blend of crunch and sweet (but not too sweet) and gooey for me!