We've worked on decorating the Christmas tree since Sunday. First, 3/4 of the lights refused to work, so the husband went about testing each light with a little light-tester gadget. The problem was never identified, so we strung numerous strands of lights over the non-working lights. Our tree is one of those pre-lit trees, and the lights are attached to the limbs. Anyway, after that debacle, we weren't in the mood to decorate. On Monday and Tuesday, we did a bit here and there, and finally, on Wednesday, we finished! With the tree in place, it really feels like Christmas, and one of the first things I do when I arrive home, is turn on the lights. I love a brightly lit tree. Anyway, after we finished decorating, I decided to bake something for my 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies submission. I had planned to make my Christmas amaretti cookies, but I'm still waiting for my powdered food coloring to arrive, so those were put on the list for next week. The office cookie swap is Tuesday, and I have something special planned for that, which I'll share with all of you next week. Feeling somewhat uninspired, I decided to just look around the pantry for some inspiration. First, I saw the last giant Symphony bar and decided to use it in whatever I made. Then, I saw a can of condensed milk. Ok, this was getting interesting. When I spied the bag of Heath brickle chips, I made my decision. I'd layer everything together on a shortbread-like crust and hope for the best. I mean, is it possible that sweetened condensed milk & chocolate will taste bad? Not a chance. So, I baked my inspired little layer dessert, waited for the pan to cool, and then cut a square for the husband. When the husband gave me a little eye roll and an appreciative murmur, I knew I had a winner. I left 6 squares for the husband, and took the rest of the squares to work, as at this point, they still had no working name, except for "some pecan things I threw together" that I'd answered when someone at work asked what they were. After much deliberation, discussion of texture, and bandying about of suggestions, we all agreed upon a name. And, now, I give you Pecan Custard Squares.
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 can sweetened condensed milk
6.8 oz Symphony Bar, chopped or 1 cup chocolate chips
1 bag Heath brickle bits
1 cup pecans or almonds, toasted & chopped
2 teaspoons vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper, so that the paper extends over the long side of the pan.
Whisk flour, powdered sugar, and salt together.
Using a pastry cutter or with your mixer, cut butter into flour, until mixture is crumbly.
Press mixture into prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, them remove from oven.
While crust is baking, prepare filling.
In a large bowl, combine egg, condensed milk, Symphony bar or chocolate chips, bag of brickle chips, nuts, and vanilla. Beat together for 3 minutes.
Pour filling over crust.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before lifting out of pan.
Peel off parchment, and cut into squares.
