Butter Tart Topped Shortbread Cookie Bars

Butter tarts and shortbread cookies have always been two of the most popular Christmas treats in our house.  There is often a debate over which dessert to pick, but now you won't have to!

These bars perfectly combine the airy lightness of shortbread with the gooey sweetness of butter tarts.  Bits of butter tart topping work down through the shortbread base, mixing in throughout the bar, preventing it from separating when you slice it.

Ingredients:

For the shortbread base:

1 lb. of butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups icing sugar
3 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt

For the butter tart topping:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp, lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped, toasted pecan pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish and set it aside.
3. Prepare the base of the bars.  Beat the butter for 15 minutes, after which it will be light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and beat again.  Sift in icing sugar in parts, beating after each addition.  Then add flour, cornstarch and salt, beating after each addition.  Press the dough into the base of baking dish and set it aside.
4.  Prepare the topping. Toast the pecan pieces in the oven.  While they are toasting, being on the rest of the filling.  Put the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, cooking and stirring until the  mixture starts to boil.  Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.  The pecans should be toasted by this time, so remove them from the oven and set them aside.  Whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla and salt.  Once mixed, slowly pour in the hot butter and sugar mixture, whisking constantly until mixed.
5.  Pour the pecans onto the shortbread and press down so that not all of the nuts rise when the rest of the topping is added.
6. Pour the liquid mixture on top.
7.  Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 F and bake for another 45 minutes.  To ensure that it is done, give the baking dish a gentle shake.  If the topping barely moves, it is ready.  If the topping appears to shake a lot and still be runny, continue to bake until it is firmer.
8.  Allow to cool and then refrigerate,  Slice into squares and enjoy!