THE BEST PECAN BARS WITH CHERRIES

INGREDIENTS:

3 c all purpose flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 c butter, cold
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 c dark corn syrup
1 1/4 c sugar
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c pecans, chopped
1/3 c dried cherries, snipped (or use dried cranberries)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of the pan. Grease the foil, set pan aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, the 1/2 cup sugar, and the salt. Using a pastry blender, but in the 1 cup of butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, corn syrup, the 1 1/4 cups sugar, the 3 tablespoons butter, and the vanilla until combined.
Sprinkle pecans and dried cherries over hot crust. Slowly pour egg mixture over all. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift baked mixture from pan using the foil. Remove foil. Cut into bars. Makes 48 bars.