Drunken Pecan Pie Bars

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8"x8" baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2 Make the butter crust: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, applesauce and brown sugar. Cream together until smooth.
3 Measure in the flour, oats and salt. Mix until combined.
4 Spread the crust mixture onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. (You might need to use your hands because this stuff is sticky!)
5 When the crust is evenly spread out across the bottom of the baking dish, pop it in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. You don't want the crust to brown, but you do want it to firm up so it doesn't mix in with the filling.
6 When the crust has pre-baked, remove from the oven and set aside.
7 Make the Bourbon Pecan Pie Filling: In a large bowl, break the eggs and measure in the sugar. Using a hand mixer, beat together until the mixture is light yellow and creamy.
8 Measure in the salt, maple syrup, honey, bourbon, vanilla extract and melted butter. Beat the ingredients until incorporated.
9 Add the pecan halves to the mixture, and stir in by hand until just combined.
10 Pour the filling on top of the baked crust, and transfer to the oven.
11 Bake the bars for 45-55 minutes, or until the bars are set and no longer jiggly.
12 Remove the bars from the oven once baked, and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
13 Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite ice cream, and enjoy!