I have a granddaughter who just turned eight and she loves pecans. Layla is unique in so many ways and having a passion for pecans at such a young age is just one more thing that sets her apart. It brings joy to my heart when she asks me if I will show her how to make something. One of the things she’d wanted to learn was how to make a pecan pie.

For her birthday this week, I made these Quick Pecan Pie Bars. The recipe is one I found on AllRecipes.com and it was just right for an easy and packable gift.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the sides and bottom of one 15 x 10 inch pan.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup butter and salt and using a pastry cutter, blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

While crust is baking, make the filling. In a large bowl stir the eggs, corn syrup, 1 1/2 cups white sugar, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in chopped pecans.

When the crust comes out of the oven, spread the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. Let cool before slicing. Store in an airtight container.