Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares

Perhaps the thing I enjoy most about food-blogging is reading other people's food blogs. I love looking at the pictures and reading about their experiences in the kitchen. My very first food blog crush was on a little site called Buns in my Oven. I first came across it using Stumble Upon, a website that uses your interests to craft a more personalized web browsing experience. Anyway, I found Karly's site and fell in love with her recipes and humor. A little while ago, she made these Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares. When I saw the recipe, I knew that I wanted to make them because they looked so buttery and delicious. And let me tell you, they were buttery and delicious...  

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of all purpose flour and 1/3 cup of brown sugar. Then, add 1/2 cup of softened butter. I mixed this with my hands because my butter was soft enough and it just seemed easier.

Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 8 baking dish and press until flat. Poke with a fork for even baking. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown.

This recipe called for pecans, but I found that I only had about 1/4 cup of pecans. I used walnuts to make up for the lack of pecans. I still thought it was delicious.

In a bowl, whisk 1 egg, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, and 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of pecans/walnuts (I added the full 3/4 cup... do it). Karly mentions an optional maple flavoring. I didn't have it, so I skipped it, but I still felt that the bars were "maple-y".

Pour this mixture on top of that beautiful, golden crust. If you must, double the crust recipe so you can eat one by itself and then have one for the bars. It smells so good...

Pop this baby back into the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pecan mixture is set. Let cool and eat happily.

Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares

Recipe borrowed from Buns in my Oven

Makes 9 Bars

Ingredients

For the shortbread crust

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the maple pecan goodness

• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine the flour and brown sugar with a whisk. Add the butter, mixing with hands, until combined. The mixture will be crumbly. Press mixture into an 8 x 8 baking sheet. Prick with a fork.
3. Bake until shortbread is browned, about 15 to 20 minutes
4. Meanwhile, beat the egg, brown sugar, and maple syrup until combined. Stir in the nuts. Pour mixture over cooked shortbread crust and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes or until the pecan mixture is firm.
5. Remove from oven and immediately run a knife along the edges of the baking dish so the bars don't stick. Cool completely and serve.