We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Friday, October 22, 2010

Cookie Recipe #293 - Pecan Pie Bars


If you enjoy pecan pie, you'll love one of these; the same sweet pecan filling with less crust.

Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 2 slightly beaten eggs, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 3/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, melted, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. For crust, in a medium bowl combine flour and the 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pat crumb mixture into an ungreased 11x7x1 1/2-inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium bowl stir together eggs, the 1/2 cup brown sugar, pecans, corn syrup, the 2 tablespoons melted butter, and vanilla. Pour filling over baked crust, spreading evenly.

Put back in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes more or until filling is set. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Makes 24 bars.

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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