Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Vegetable cooking spray

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup (3/4 stick) butter flavor all-vegetable  shortening

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2 of a 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate pieces (about 1 cup)

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (opitional)

• Heat the oven to 350ºF.  Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with the cooking spray.  Stir the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.
• Beat the brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is creamy.  Beat in the eggs.
• Reduce the speed to low.  Add the flour mixture and beat just until combined.  Stir in the chocolate pieces and pecans, if desired.  Spread the dough in the baking pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Cut into 36 (1 1/2 x 2-inch) bars.