Pecan Squares

Southern Living, 2004

MAKES ABOUT 28 SQUARES

    2 cups flour                                                   
    2/3 cup powdered sugar                                         
    3/4 cup butter                                                 
    1/2 cup firm pack brown sugar                                  
    1/2 cup honey                                                  
    2/3 cup butter                                                 
    3 tablespoons whipping cream                                   
    3 1/2 cups coarse chop pecans                                  

PREP: 20 MIN.. BAKE: 50 MIN

Judy Russell always brings this recipe, adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook (Workman, $15.95). She uses salted butter and brings the filling to a rolling boil before pouring it over the crust.

Sift together 2 cups flour and 2/3 cup powdered sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup softened butter using a pastry blender or fork just until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pat mixture on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool.

BRING brown sugar, honey. 2/3 cup butter, and whipping cream to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in pecans, and pour hot filling into prepared crust.

BAKE at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.