Pecan Pie Squares

Think pecan pie in a cookie and you’ve got pecan pie squares.  These cookies are a favorite of mine to make at Christmas because they feed more people than a pecan pie and are the most requested of my homemade gifts.  Be forewarned, once you try one, you’ll be craving them all the time.

Start by making the crust.  Combine 18 tablespoons room temperature butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and 3 cups flour.  Press in a 10 X 15-inch shallow pan.  Chill for 20 minutes.  After chilled, bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit; cool.

For the filling, combine 8 tablespoons butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 6 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium-sized saucepan.  Bring to a boil and boil for one minute.  Turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups pecans and ½ teaspoon vanilla.  Pour into crust and bake 15 – 20 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit; cool. 

To cut, turn big cookie onto a cutting board, crust down, and cut with a sharp knife into 1.5 X 2-inch rectangles.  Makes 50 cookies.