MAPLE SHORTBREAD BARS

Maple Shortbread Bars image

Shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Regina Schrambling wrote of the healing power of cooking. "The food is not really the thing," she said. "It's the making of it that gets you through a bad time." This recipe, adapted from "The New Carryout Cuisine" by Phyllis Méras with Linda Glick Conway, was one she turned to in the trying days that followed. A mere two steps, and ready in less than an hour, it's comfort in a pan, just as good for when the darkness creeps up as it is for those days when you just need a bit more. And to those who might scoff at the two sticks of butter? Consider taking Schrambling's words to heart: "Abstemiousness," she wrote, "is not an option when you're feeling low."

Provided by Regina Schrambling

Time 55m

Yield 39 bars

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2/3 cup real maple syrup
2 eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Steps:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. For crust, combine flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Cut butter into slices, and cut in with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly. Press into bottom and half an inch up the sides of a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes, or until edges begin to brown. Cool on rack.
For filling, combine all ingredients except pecans, and mix until smooth. Pour into cooled crust. Distribute nuts evenly over top. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool on a rack before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 173, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 67 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams, TransFat 0 grams