PECAN PIE BARS ~ BLOG 366.179

PECAN PIE BARS

2 cups AP flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, diced and softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 LARGE egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
Small pinch salt
8 ounces milk chocolate toffee bits
1 cup FINELY chopped pecans

  • Grease bottom of 9×13 baking dish.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour and powdered sugar.
  • Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
  • Press mixture firmly into the bottom of baking dish.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla and salt until smooth and well blended.
  • Stir in toffee bits and pecans.
  • Spread evenly over baked crust.
  • Return to oven for 20-25 minutes until set.
  • Cool completely.
  • Cover and chill at least one hour.
  • Cut into bars.
  • Keep stored in refrigerator.

CAJUN CAKE ~ BLOG 366.138

Cajun Cake AKA dump cake, which is a rather unattractive description for such a delicious, yet SUPER easy, cake.  

This version is an adaptation from an old cookbook, Cajun Cooking. The flavor has been pumped up by substituting some brown sugar for some of the granulated, as well as adding both PURE vanilla and a pinch of salt, which helps OOMPH up the flavor. The icing recipe has been doubled also.
CAJUN CAKE
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 ounce crushed pineapple with juice
2 LARGE eggs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray an 11×7 baking dish and set aside.
  • Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. 
  • Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • While cake bakes, prepare Coconut Pecan Icing.

COCONUT PECAN ICING
12 ounce can evaporated milk
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups packed shredded, sweetened coconut
1 cup toasted chopped pecans
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

  • Bring evaporated milk, butter and sugar to a boil, reduce heat and cook at a SLOW boil for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans, vanilla and salt.
  • Pour hot icing over warm cake; allow cake to cool to room temperature before serving.