Pecan Bars with Almond Glaze

"The Mr." wanted some pecan bars.  

A pecan bar, huh?

Are you sure you don't want something ooey, gooey, chocolatey and smothered in frosting?

I'm sure,  I just want some pecan bars . . . he says.

I have never made, nor have I ever eaten, a pecan bar before, but it sounded boring.  Then, I found this recipe that had glaze on top.  Now that has potential.

These things are GOOD.  I'm talking so good that I was tempted to lick the top of the entire pan, so no one would eat them but ME!  On 2nd thought . . . that would have been very very bad if I would have eaten the ENTIRE PAN by MYSELF!

Pecan Bars with Almond Glaze

(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

3 Tbl. unsalted butter, softened

3 Tbl. shortening

1/4 c. + 2 Tbl. powdered sugar

3/4 c. + 1 Tbl. flour

1 egg

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. pecans, chopped

Almond Glaze:

3/4 c. powdered sugar

1 Tbl. melted butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. almond extract
1 Tbl. milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream together butter, shortening and powdered sugar.  Add 3/4 cup of flour and mix until combined.  Press evenly in the bottom of an 8x8'' baking dish, that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake for 13 minutes.  Mix remaining 1 Tablespoon flour, egg, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla and pecans together and spread evenly over the hot crust right when it comes out of the oven.  Return pan to oven and bake 20 more minutes.  While that is baking whisk together all of the glaze ingredients.  Remove the bars from the oven and pour the glaze over the top while they are still warm.  Cool completely (will take several hours) and cut into bars.    

Jenn's Notes: If you are not a fan of almond extract, use all vanilla instead.  

slightly adapted from: Our Best Bites