PECAN PIE BROWNIES: National Pecan Pie Day

I associate Pecan Pie with both Thanksgiving and the Kentucky Derby, but for some reason July 12 is National Pecan Pie Day. What to do? Make Pecan Pie Brownies! This recipe from Betty Crocker for Pecan Pie Brownies is easu and delicious. I'm posting a recipe using a Brownie Mix, but you can always make your own brownies and just use the recipe for the topping.

PECAN PIE BROWNIES

Brownies
1 box Brownie mix; Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box

Pecan Topping 
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 9-inch square pan with foil, allowing some to hang over edges of pan. Grease bottom and sides of pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread in pan.
Bake 28 to 31 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. 
In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and 1 egg until well blended. Increase heat to medium; cook 2 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture just begins to boil. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and pecans.
Spoon pecan topping evenly over baked brownie.
Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling along edges. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 2 hours. Using foil to lift, remove brownies from pan, and peel foil away. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. If desired, garnish each brownie with a pecan half.