Sweet and Simple Pecan Bars

the last pecan bar sitting on my granny's china... sigh

Made these Pecan Bars this weekend and they were so yummy! Crumbly shortbread cookie bottom with a sweet and gooey pecan filling. Not to mention so easy to make. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a true home run!  

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup softened butter (salted butter makes this shortbread crust even tastier) 

Filling

• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 tablespoons melted butter (I used salted)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar (I used half brown sugar, half white)
• 1 1/2 cups light Karo syrup
• Dash of cloves (optional, but sure doesn't hurt)
• 2 1/2 cups pecans (I didn't have quite enough in my cupboard, but they still turned out tasty and were extra gooey)
• 
  
• Directions:
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 by 11 pan with wax paper.  No spray/grease needed that way.

1. 2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, 1/2 c sugar, and salt.  Cut in 1 cup softened butter (2 sticks) until it resembles coarse crumbs (easiest to do with a well washed hand).  
   3. Press firmly into the bottom of your lined pan.
2. 4. Bake 20 minutes (took me a little bit longer)
3. 5. While baking crust prepare filling as follows: Beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla, and cloves until smooth. Stir in pecans.
   6. Spread pecan filling over the hot crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.
   7. Bake for 25 minutes or until set.  Cool and enjoy!  Don't forget to try it with some vanilla ice cream.
4.