Maple Pecan Bars

These are melt-in-your-mouth good! I found these in Family Fun magazine, tore out the recipe, then didn't make them until just 2 years ago. Good luck eating just one.... ooohhhh.

Crust:

¾ c. butter, softened

1/3 c. sugar

½ tsp. salt

½ c. oats, quick or old-fashioned

1 ¾ c. flour

1 T. cold water

Heat oven to 350. Grease 9x13” pan. Cream butter, sugar, and salt. Stir in oats. Stir in flour a third at a time, making coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on water and mix briefly. Press dough into pan. Chill for 15 mins. Bake pastry in oven for 15 mins. Cool thoroughly.

Filling:

½ c. real maple syrup

½ c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. heavy cream

3 T. butter, cut into several pieces

½ t. vanilla

2 c. coarsely chopped pecans

Combine maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, and butter in saucepan. Bring mixture to full boil. Boil for 40 seconds, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla and pecans. Immediately pour over crust, spreading evenly with spatula. Bake for 15 mins. Cool thoroughly in pan. Cover and refrigerate bars for 1-2 hours before slicing.

Makes approx. 30 1 ½”x2” bars.