Thanksgiving Week recipes from Distinctive Inns of New England

Tis the season for great food and recipe planning.  If you’re still looking for ideas for Thanksgiving, Distinctive Inns of New England will come to the rescue this week with some creative ideas.

How about serving a traditional dessert with a twist?  Pecan Pie Bars from the Captain’s House Inn are perfect for leftovers (if there are any left!) .  Simply split them among guests and send them home in plastic baggies.  Better yet, save them for yourself to enjoy with your turkey sandwich on Black Friday!  Either way, enjoy!

Pecan Pie Bars from Captain’s House Inn

Oven Temperature:   350° – 300°

Yield: 24 Bars

Cake Pan size: 13” x 9” x 2” glass pan

Ingredients (Shortbread base)

1 ½ Sticks (¾ Cup) Butter

2 Cups  All Purpose Flour

½ Cup Packed Light Brown Sugar

 Ingredients (topping)

8oz  Pecans

1 stick (½ Cup) Unsalted Butter

1 Cup  Packed Light Brown Sugar

1/3 Cup Honey

2 Tbsps Heavy Cream

Method (Shortbread Base)

1.       Preheat the oven to 350°.

2.      Cut the butter into ½ inch pieces. In a food processor, process all ingredients together until mixture begins to form small lumps.

3.      Sprinkle mixture into 13’x9”x2” baking pan with a metal spoon, press evenly onto the bottom. Bake shortbread in the middle of the oven until golden – about 20 minutes.

4.      While the shortbread is baking, prepare the pecan topping.

Method ( Pecan Topping)

1.      In a food processor, coarsely chop the pecans. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter and stir in brown sugar, honey and cream. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally for 1 minute and then stir in pecans.

2.      Pour the pecan mixture over the hot shortbread and spread evenly. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°.

3.      Bake in the middle of the oven until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in the pan and cut into 24 bars.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all the Distinctive Inns of New England.