4th Annual Cookie Exchange: Pecan Square Edition

It's that time again....Cookie Exchange Party.
This is one of my favourite holiday traditions, for obvious reasons.  

Friends.  And.  COOKIES.

This year marks number four in the books.  And while we've broadened the cookie idea to pretty much include anything sweet and delicious, every year without fail we all leave with increased sugar levels, good laughs, and a guarantee that cookies will be most certainly be eaten for breakfast the next day.

Here's a look at my contribution over the last four years:

Year 1:  Traditional Shortbread
Year 2:  S'mores Cookies
Year 3:  Oreo Cheesecake Truffles
Year 4:  Pecan Squares

Aren't traditions great.  Merry Christmas!

xo, JS 

ps. stay tuned for a look a this evenings delicious treats....

Pecan Squares

Ingredients:
crust
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt

filling
3 eggs
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups coarsly chopped pecans

Method:
Preheat oven to 350F.  Line 9 x 13-inch pan with aluminium foil and spray with cooking spay.  Set aside.
Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in large bowl.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour mixture into prepared pan and firmly press down.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden in colour.
While crust is baking, prepare the filling.  In a bowl of a stand mixer add eggs, sugars, corn syrup, butter, and vanilla, mix until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.  Spread filling evenly over hot crust.
Bake for 25-30 minutes in preheated oven, or until set.  Covering with aluminium foil around the 20 minute mark to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

yields: 18-36 squares
adapted from the girl who ate everything