Pecan Pie Bars

I absolutely love pecan pie, so when we had a young womens meeting and Sis Kari Hatch (the coolest Stake YW Pres ever!) made these treats for us, I had to get the recipe and bake them myself.  These are addicting and yummy and wonderful and truly belong in my favorite collection!

Southern Praline Shortbread

Shortbread

3/4 c powdered sugar

2 c all purpose flour

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9X13 pan with Pam.  In mixer or food processor, place sugar and flour.  Mix together just to blend.  Add butter and pulse, cutting butter until crumbs form.  This dough will not make a ball.  Pat crumbs in bottom of prepared cake pan.  Bake 15-20 minutes or until shortbread is beginning to turn golden.  Remove from oven and pour praline mixture (recipe below) over crust.  Return to oven and bake until caramel mixture is toasted and bubbly, about 20 minutes more.  Let cool and cut into bars.  Will keep in airtight container for 3 days (at least, that's the theory, we've never actually had them around for more than a couple hours).  They also freeze very well. Makes 36.

Praline

1/2 c butter

1/2 c honey

1/4 c heavy cream

1/2 c brown sugar

3 1/2 c pecans or walnuts (or combination of both), chopped

Mix all ingredients in medium saucepan.  Stir over medium heat until butter has melted.

And for nourishing our souls today:  we have someone in our ward whose husband is dying of cancer.  It was announced in RS if any sisters would be willing and able to take over extra food that we are preparing, or small serving of treat to the sister caring for her husband.  It made me think how easily we get carried away in our own day to day things that we forget to think of others and the little things we could do to "mourn with those who mourn" and serve and strengthen each other

So our scripture for today is Mosiah 18:( found in Book of Mormon)

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death. . ."