Pecan Bar Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cup chopped pitted dates
• ¾ cup water
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups chopped pecans

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper with enough overhang to easily lift out. Set aside.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, melt the butter. Add the flour, sugar, and salt and mix until just combined and crumbly. Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish by crumbling it into a somewhat even layer. Then, use your hands to press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden.

3. 3

   In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a small saucepan, bring dates and water to a boil over high heat. Add the baking soda and stir occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the dates have melted and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the date paste to a large bowl and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Add the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt on top of the date paste in the bowl. Whisk until fully combined, then use a rubber spatula to fold in the chopped pecans.

5. 5

   Remove the crust from the oven and pour the pecan mixture on top. Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the center is set.

6. 6

   Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours. Cut into 24 bars.