Pecan Pie Surprise Bars (Pillsbury Bake-Off Winner)

This is the 1971 winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off. It was created by Pearl Hall of Washington. It's described as "delicious as pecan pie" only easier to make and much more portable to eat in bar form.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• Base

• 1 (18 ounce) package  yellow cake mix or 1 (18 ounce) package  butter recipe cake mix
• 1⁄3 cup margarine or 1⁄3 cup butter, softened
• 1  egg

• Filling

• 1⁄2 cup  firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups dark corn syrup
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 3  eggs
• 1  cup  chopped pecans

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Grease 13 x 9 inch pan.
3. Reserve 2/3 cup of the dry cake mix for filling.
4. In a large bowl, combine remaining dry cake mix, margarine and 1 egg at low speed until well blended.
5. Press in bottom of greased pan.
6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown.
7. In large bowl, combine reserved 2/3 cup dry cake mix, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and 3 eggs at low speed until moistened.
8. Beat 1 minute at medium speed or until well blended.
9. Pour filling mixture over warm base; sprinkle with pecans.
10. Bake an additional 30-35 minutes or until filling is set.
11. Cool completely.
12. Cut into 36 bars.
13. Store in refrigerator.