Grandma’s Pecan Rum Bars

Name: Grandma's Pecan Rum Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 2 dozen
Ingredients: 4 cups chopped pecans, divided; 1 cup butter, softened; 2-1/4 cups packed brown sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 2 tablespoons vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2-1/4 cups red candied cherries; 1-1/2 cups chopped candied pineapple; 1/2 cup chopped candied citron; 1/3 cup rum

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling

Yield 2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

My grandmother handed down the recipe for these gooey bars that we all love. The candied cherries are a must. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama

Ingredients

4 cups chopped pecans, divided
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/4 cups red candied cherries
1-1/2 cups chopped candied pineapple
1/2 cup chopped candied citron
1/3 cup rum

Directions

Sprinkle 3 cups pecans over a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour to creamed mixture, beating well.
Spread batter into prepared pan. Combine candied fruit and the remaining pecans. Spread fruit and pecans evenly over creamed mixture; press gently to help mixtures adhere. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Sprinkle rum over the top; cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 401 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.

My grandmother handed down the recipe for these gooey bars that we all love. The candied cherries are a must. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama

Recipe Creator