The Silver Palate Pecan Squares

Julee Rosso and the late Sheila Lukins who began The Silver Palate are their own legend. They became major culinary figures in New York in the '80s, bringing new and exciting food to New Yorkers who had money and taste but little time to shop and cook. More than 6 million copies of their books have been sold, and with good reason!

I guarantee you this is the fastest, easiest sweet crust you'll ever make - and no rolling out! You can adapt this recipe for your favorite filling, but do try the pecan pie filling first, and maybe serve with my vanilla ice cream [recipe coming soon folks].

Cookies as gifts, pecan bars are top left

Ingredients

2/3 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 sticks sweet butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 12 inch baking pan. Sift sugar and flour together. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Pat the crust into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes; remove from the oven.

Topping

2/3 cup (11 tbsps) melted sweet butter

1/2 cup honey

3 tbsps heavy cream

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 1/2 cups shelled pecans, coarsely chopped

Mix melted butter, honey, cream and brown sugar. Stir in pecans, coating them thoroughly. Spread over crust. Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes more. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Makes 36 squares.