Browned Butter Date & Pecan Bars

Makes 25 bars
Prep Time: 35 min.
Baking Time: 30 to 35 min.
Cooking Time: 10 to 15 min.

Ingredients:

Bars
1 - cup butter
1 - cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 - teaspoons vanilla
2 - eggs
1-1/4 - cups all-purpose flour
1/2 - teaspoon baking powder
1/4 - teaspoon salt
1/2 - cup chopped dates
1/2 - cup chopped pecans

Frosting
1/4 - cup butter
2 - cups powdered sugar
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 - Tablespoons milk
2 - Tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

1) In a 3-quart heavy saucepan, melt 1 cup butter over medium heat.

2) Cook, stirring constantly and watching closely, until butter just begins to turn golden brown for 10 to 15 minutes.

3) Immediately remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.

4) Stir in brown sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

5) Add flour, baking powder and salt; stir until well mixed. Stir in dates and 1/2 cup pecans.

6) Spread batter into greased 8-inch square baking pan.

7) Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bars are lightly browned and begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely.

8) Melt 1/4 cup butter in 1-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat.

9) Cook, stirring constantly and watching closely, until butter just begins to turn golden brown for 4 to 6 minutes.

10) Immediately remove from heat; cool 5 minutes.

11) In a small bowl, combine cooled browned butter, powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla . Stir in enough milk for desired frosting consistency.

12) Spread frosting over cooled bars. Sprinkle with 2 Tablespoons chopped pecans. Gently press into frosting and cut into bars.