Raisin Oatmeal Pecan Nougat Bars

1⁄2 cup butter (softened)

1⁄2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1⁄4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs (egg and yolks separated)

2 tablespoons water

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups Franz Raisin Oatmeal Hot Cereal & Baking Mix

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 

1⁄2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) 

3⁄4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9” x 13” baking dish. In a large bowl beat butter, 1⁄2 cup brown sugar and the granulated sugar with electric mixer until creamy. Add egg yolks, water and vanilla; beat well. Combine the dry ingredients together and slowly add to the butter, sugar and egg mixture. Spread dough evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove from oven to cooling rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Beat egg whites with electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over warm crust. Sprinkle pecans evenly over top. Bake 20 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes. Cut into bars but do not remove from pan. Cool completely in pan. 

Makes about 24 bars