SOUTHERN PECAN BARS

This recipe won the Best of Class at the Pillsbury's 5th Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest. I believe this contest was the forerunner of the current Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

Sift together.......1 1/3 cups sifted Pillsbury's Best Enriched Flour
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
Cream...............1/3 cup butter. Gradually add 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar,
creaming well.
Add.................the dry ingredients; mix with electric mixer or spoon until
particles are fine.
Stir in.............1/4 cup pecans, chopped fine; mix well. Pat firmly into the
bottom of well-greased 12x8x2 or 13x9x2-inch pan.
Bake................in moderate 350 degree oven for 10 minutes only.

Pecan Topping

Beat................2 eggs until foamy.
Add.................3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Pour over the partially baked
crust.
Sprinkle with.......3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped. (If desired, fold the chopped
pecans into filling before pouring over crust and arrange 30
pecan halves evenly over the top; one for each bar.)
Bake................in moderate oven (350) 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in pan; cut
into bars. Store in a tightly covered container.