Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Gluten Free Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Well, here in good ole' California, it's been hot...real hot for us, and my house has been real hot, and I have put off baking...and well, it's been driving me crazy not baking.  So I strapped on my ice packs, hauled a fan into the kitchen and sucked it up and made these delicious Gluten Free Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars.  These bars are like a pecan pie with sweet and crunchy pecans in a gooey filling, with the big bonus of chocolate chunks on top!  The crust on these bars is the best I've made yet for a gluten free bar cookie.  I've made these Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars for years, and have been wanting to revamp them into a gluten free version for awhile.
Gluten Free Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

I'm happy to report that it was worth braving the heat for these bars.  I will be serving them tonight for our family night dessert topped with a nice ice cold scoop of ice cream.  Sound good?  Of course it does.  Really, I'm just chomping at the bit to feel fall weather so I can start making the slew of pumpkin desserts I have recipes for.  I'm just not feeling it now.  I feel like I should be by a pool with an ice cold drink in my hand, instead.

 I realize how much my baking is tied in with the weather, and the season.  Thanksgiving time and Christmas just drive me to bake, bake, bake.  It makes me feel cozy, homey and that everything is good and right in the world when I bake during those seasons.  Anyone else like that, or am I just weird?  Do you think if I start baking pumpkin things, it just might usher in the cooler weather?  Maybe I'll give it a try, but until then, these Gluten Free Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars will do nicely.

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE BARS
Recipe from:  Goodies Gone Gluten Free
click here for printable recipe

Crust

1 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour (store bought or homemade)
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 1 Tbsp. butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp. xanthan gum (if your all-purpose flour does not contain it)
1/4 tsp. salt

Filling

3 large eggs
3/4 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups (11.5 ounce pack) Semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.

For Crust
Beat butter and brown sugar in a mixer until light and fluffly.  Add flour, xanthan gum and salt, a little at a time and continue to mix until batter clings together.  Press into the prepared baking pan evenly and place pan in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until dough is firm.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

For Filling
Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with wire whisk.  Stir in chunks and nuts.  Pour evenly over baked crust.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.

Gluten Free Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars