Tennessee Whiskey Fruit and Nut Bars

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by—13-inch baking pan; set aside.

For the bars, in a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream together the 2/3 cup butter, the brown sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Alternately add the fl our mixture and the 1/3 cup whiskey in three additions, mixing until fully combined after each addition. Fold in chopped nuts, the raisins, and chocolate chips. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let bars cool in the pan on a wire rack.

For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat together the confectioners’ sugar, the 6 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons whiskey, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Add additional whiskey, if necessary, to make a frosting of spreadable consistency. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and, if desired, top each square with a pecan half.