Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars

INGREDIENTS

1 cup

(230g; 2 sticks) unsalted butter

1/2 cup

granulated sugar

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp

salt

2 cups

all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)

1/2 cup

unsalted butter

1/2 cup

packed light or dark brown sugar (I prefer dark here)

1/2 cup

pure maple syrup

2 tbsp

heavy cream

large eggs, beaten

3 cups

coarsely chopped Diamond of California shelled pecans

optional: sea salt for sprinkling