MAPLE PECAN OATMEAL BARS

1/3 cup maple flavored pancake syrup
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
2 1/4 cups quick or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
FOR THE TOPPING:
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (about 6 ounces)
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup maple flavored pancake syrup

Heat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with vegetable spray.

TO MAKE THE BARS:
Melt butter; set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, coconut, baking soda and salt; mix well.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, syrup, egg and vanilla; mix well. Add to oat mixture; mix well. Dough will be stiff. Press dough evenly onto bottom of pan.

FOR THE TOPPING:
Combine pecans and brown sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over dough; press down lightly. Drizzle syrup evenly over pecans.

Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until edges are set but middle is still soft. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely in pan set on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Makes 15 bars
Source: Entertain With Ease by Heather McPherson