Pecan Squares

My niece is visiting us this weekend and thought of making Ina’s Pecan Squares.  We are also celebrating mom’s 80th birthday.  Mom made a couple of request in celebrating her birthday, first breakfast at iHop and dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Even though we’re going out to dinner I still like to prepare dessert.  I think my family would think somethings wrong if I did not make homemade dessert.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

• 1 pound unsalted butter
• 1 cup good honey
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour.

Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir.

Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

Get ready for the dessert of your life!  So rich, full of flavor, pretty easy to make, and excellent tasting recipe!  The citrus really sets this recipe apart and the flavor is rich yet refreshing and unique.  This recipe yields excessively rich and sweet pecan bars.  I’m going to make this again but the next time I will cut smaller squares. I also made chocolate ganache and dipped the squares in chocolate.  This is well worth the time and effort.  Everyone who tried it was very impressed.  It almost tasted like a mini pecan pie dipped in chocolate ! I adore these bars.  So delicious!

Ciao for now!