Pear Bar Cookies

This recipe is based on one for apple brownies in the October issue of Martha Stewart Living. The list of ingredients reminded of apple cake, which I love. The advantage to a brownie recipe is that the batter can be easily stirred together. The one in the magazine called for a mixer, but that’s totally unnecessary. I had pears on hand, hence the fruit change. Also, I used pecans instead of walnuts and varied the spices a bit. Very easy and delicious! Serve the bar cookies with vanilla ice cream and, if you have time, homemade caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Pear Bar Cookies
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 to 3 pears, cored and cut into chunks
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Stir together butter and next 3 ingredients. Stir together flour and next 6 ingredients. Stir into butter mixture until combined. Stir in pears and pecans. Spread mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking pan.
2. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until done. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack, and cut into bars.