Pecan Bars

Makes 24 bars
Hands-On Time: 30m
Total Time: 2hr 00m

Ingredients

Crust
* nonstick cooking spray
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling
* 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with the cooking spray. Line the pan with 2 crisscrossed pieces of parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides; spray the parchment with the cooking spray.

2. Make the crust: In a food processor, combine the flour, butter, sugar, and salt; pulse until fine crumbs form. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake until pale golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, make the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, honey, granulated sugar, and cream; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pecans and vanilla. Spread over the crust and let cool in the pan, about 1 hour.

4. Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan, transfer to a cutting board, and cut into 24 rectangles (6 rows by 4 rows). Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.