Pecan Fruitcake Squares (or Any Nut You Prefer)

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup rum (optional) or 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (i just use regular butter and decrease the salt.)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt (depending if using salted butter or unsalted)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups pecan halves (or a combination) or 2 cups almonds (or a combination) or 2 cups walnuts (or a combination)
• 1 cup chopped candied fruit

Recipe

• 1 place raisins and rum, (i use apricot brandy but any flavor would do) in a small microwaveable bowl.
• 2 microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute to warm raisins so they will soak up brandy.
• 3 stir, then set aside.
• 4 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 5 in a large mixing bowl, using electric mixer or spoon, beat butter with sugar until creamy.
• 6 beat in vanilla.
• 7 in another bowl, use a fork to blend 2 1/4 cups flour with salt.
• 8 gradually stir into butter mixture (it will be dry) press into ungreased 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
• 9 bake in center of oven until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• 10 meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl.
• 11 add corn syrup, brown sugar,and the last 2 tablespoons of flour; stir until mixed.
• 12 stir in raisins and any remaining brandy, nuts and candied fruit.
• 13 spread over partially baked warm crust, evenly distributing nuts and fruit.
• 14 bake in center of oven until it starts to set in the middle, from 20-25 minutes.
• 15 i find 20-22 minutes is usually enough.
• 16 set pan on rack to cool, then cut into bars.
• 17 store in a covered container in a cool dry place, they will keep well for at least a week and can be frozen.