North Carolina is probably one of my most favorite places ever. My family and I have lived there, it’s where my son goes to school, and it is where I feel the most comfortable sense of belonging. I love the people, the natural beauty, and of course the food. When we lived there, my husband and I would go to a different BBQ house every week, attempting to try every one in the state. Ok, it probably wasn’t the most realistic or practical goal, but it sure was fun!! My dessert this week is Pecan Bars. Pecans are a large and important crop in the coastal plains of North Carolina, and whenever I eat pecans~I feel warm and fuzzy, like I belong.
Pecan Bars
Crust
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon Confectioners Sugar
1 1/4 sticks Butter
1 Egg White
Pecan Filling
1/2 cup lightly packed Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Sugar
10 tablespoon Dark Corn Syrup
2 Eggs
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
pinch of Salt
3 tablespoon Butter
1 1/2 cup chopped Pecans
Place the flour in the food processor. If you don’t
have a food processor, you can mix the dough in a bowl.
Add the powdered sugar.
Add the butter, and process until the dough comesÂ
together, about 30 seconds.
Pat the dough into a 13″X9″ pan. Come up theÂ
sides about 1/2″.Â
Pour the egg white onto the crust.
Tilt the pan so that all of the egg white covers the crust.
Pour the remainder of the egg white out.
Bake the crust at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Take the crust out of the oven, and cool for 15 minutes,
then place in the refrigerator until totally cool.
Now, let’s make our filling!
Place both the granulated sugar and the brown
sugar in a bowl.
Add the dark corn syrup.
Add the 2 eggs.
Add the vanilla, salt, and melted butter.
Add pecans and mix everything together.
Pour the topping over the cooked crust.
Once the topping is covering the crust, place in the oven.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.
Set bars on a cooling rack, and let them cool completely.
Cut and Enjoy!
Thank you for joining me today!
I hope you enjoyed the All American Meal this week.
Tomorrow we will feature a Culinary Word of the Week!
See you then!!
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!!