A great holiday bar cookie... MHL's NW Pecan Treats!

NW Pecan Bars!

A special cookie to enjoy at your holiday parties is a yummy treat the Lodge highlights in their fresh baked repertoire.  We were honored to have this same recipe featured in "Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Cookies Special Holiday 2005 Issue"!  We thought you might enjoy making a batch this month to share in your home!  

Ingredients:

3 c all purpose flour, we use pastry flour for a finer crust 

2 c granulated sugar, divided

1/2 tsp salt

1c + 3 Tbsp butter, divided

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/2 c dark corn syrup

1 3/4 tsp pure vanilla

1/3 c dried NW cherries

2 1/2 c chopped pecans

Directions:

STEP 1:

* Preheat oven to 350.  Grease well the sides and bottom of a 15x10x1” baking pan with butter. 

* In a large bowl combine flour, 1/2 c sugar &  the salt.

*With a pastry blender (or 2 knives will work held crisscross) cut in 1 c. butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

*Press crustmixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan.

*Bake 20 minutes.

STEP 2:

*Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining 3 Tbsp butter.

*In large bowl stir eggs, corn syrup, remaining1 1/2 c sugar, butter and vanilla until blended.  

*Stir in pecans and cherries until blended. 

*Spread evenly over the hot crust.  

*Bake 25 minutes or until set.  

*Cool.  Cut into bars.  We like to cut on the diagonal for diamond bars.  Store in the refrigerator.