Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Stir well to ensure even distribution.
3. Add butter: Cut the 2 sticks of chilled butter into small cubes and add them to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture takes on the consistency of coarse crumbs. Be careful not to overmix — you want the butter to stay slightly chunky for a flaky texture.
4. Press the crust into the pan: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Press the crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form an even crust layer. Make sure it’s well-packed and smooth.
5. Bake the crust: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust turns a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Pecan Filling

1. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups of light corn syrup, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until smooth and well combined.
2. Stir in the pecans: Fold in the 2 cups of pecan halves or pieces into the egg mixture, making sure the nuts are evenly coated in the filling.

Step 3: Assemble the Bars

1. Pour the filling over the crust: Once the crust has cooled slightly, pour the pecan filling evenly over the baked crust.
2. Bake again: Return the pan to the oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.
3. Cool the bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pecan bars to cool completely before slicing into squares or rectangles. Cooling is essential to help the filling set properly.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

1. Slice the bars: Once completely cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the bars into squares or rectangles.
2. Serve: These bars can be served as-is or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.