Recipe: Pecan Pie Surprise Bars (using cake mix)

PECAN PIE SURPRISE BARS
1971 PIllsbury Bake-off Grand Prize Winner

FOR THE CRUST:
1 (2-layer size) pkg butter or yellow cake mix, divided use
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
4 eggs, divided use
FOR THE FILLING:
2/3 cup reserved cake mix
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 cp dark corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans (for topping)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch baking pan.

TO PREPARE THE CRUST:
Reserve 2/3 cup dry cake mix for filling. Combine remaining cake mix, butter, and 1 egg in a large mixing bowl; mix until crumbly. Press in prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until light golden brown.

MEANWHILE PREPARE FILLING:
Combine the remaining 3 eggs, the reserved 2/3 cup dry cake mix, brown sugar, corn syrups, and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes. Pour Filling over partially baked crust; sprinkle with pecans.

Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees F 30-35 minutes until Filling is set. Cool. Cut into bars.