Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars (T&T)

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
1 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups light or dark corn syrup
6 squares semisweet chocolate
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Crust: Combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, butter and salt until mixture resembles course crumbs.

Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan. Press mixture firmly into pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes

Filling: Stir corn syrup and chocolate over low heat until chocolate melts, remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 cups sugar, then eggs, vanilla extract and pecans, blend well. Pour over hot base and spread evenly and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until filling is firm around the edges and slightly soft in the center. Cool in pan on rack.

Makes 48 squares.