Pecan Pie Bars

Several people have asked for the pecan pie bar recipe. So here it is. I aim to please!

Pecan Pie Surprise Bars

Base:
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 egg

Filling:
½ c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 ½ c. dark corn syrup
1 t. vanilla
3 eggs
1 c. chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan. Reserve 2/3 c. dry cake mix for filling. In large bowl, combine remaining dry cake mix, butter and 1 egg at low speed until well blended. Spread in prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

In large bowl, combine reserved cake mix, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and 3 eggs at low speed until moistened. Beat at medium speed about 1 minute or until well blended. Pour filling over base; sprinkle with pecans. Return to oven and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

36 bars.

I followed the recipe exactly as it is written here. I don't remember from whom I stole this. I'm guessing either allrecipes.com or an old issue of "Taste of Home" magazine. The only problem I encountered was after putting them in the ice box overnight, they were very difficult to get out of the pan. I would suggest waiting a while for them to cool on the counter, cutting them and removing them from the pan, putting them on a serving platter AND THEN putting them in the ice box. Then maybe you wouldn't need a jack hammer to remove them.