Chocolate Pecan Bars

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 squares semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled (3 tbsp. chocolate chips)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
2. Sift the 1-1/2 cups flour, cinnamon and baking powder into a large bowl; stir in the 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Pat into greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. 
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack. Leave oven on.
4. Beat eggs, remaining brown sugar, syrup, remaining flour, chocolate , vanilla and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until blended. Pour over dough layer in baking pan. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. 
5. Return to oven and bake 30 minutes longer. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Serves: 24

Submitted by Rose Mary Walecki