Chocolate Pecan Bars
 
Ingredients
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 cups finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Confectioner's sugar for dusting
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
  2. In bowl of electric mixer, cream the ½ cup butter. Beat in the egg yolk and water and mix well. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix well until it forms a stiff dough. Pat the mixture evenly onto the bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the bag of chocolate chips evenly over the crust. Return the pan to the oven for 2 minutes. Remove the pan again and carefully spread the melted chips evenly on top.
  4. In the same mixer bowl, beat the 2 eggs until thickened. Beat in ¾ cup of sugar and blend well. Stir in the 6 Tablespoons melted butter, nuts, and vanilla. Mix well, then pour evenly over the chocolate layer.
  5. Return pan to oven and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until a light golden brown and the dough springs back when gently touched in the center with your fingers. Cool pan on wire rack, sprinkle the top lightly with confectioner's sugar and cut into bars. Makes about 4 dozen bars.
Recipe by The Culinary Cellar at https://theculinarycellar.com/chocolate-pecan-bars/