Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

Step 2

Combine the melted butter and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir to combine. Pour chocolate butter mixture into the flour and toss together until evenly mixed. The dough will the thick. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Step 3

While the crust is baking, place butter and chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well. If chocolate isn't fully melted, heat in 10-second interval until fully melted. Stir well after each interval. Whisk in the sugar, corn syrup, bourbon, vanilla, and salt until combined. Add the egg and whisk until fully incorporated.

Step 4

Pour the filling over the hot crust. Sprinkle the top with pecans. Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges begin to firm up. (The center will remain wobbly, like it is under done. That is okay. It will firm up as it cools.) Cool the bars completely on a wire rack. Lift the foil out of the pan to remove the bars and transfer to a cutting board. Cut the bars into 16 pieces.