Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

These Pecan Pie Bars are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, offering all the rich, buttery flavors of pecan pie in a convenient, handheld treat. With a crisp, golden shortbread crust and a gooey, caramel-like filling studded with crunchy pecans, every bite is a perfect balance of textures. The prep time is just 20 minutes, making it easy to whip up for any occasion, while the 55-minute bake fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them as a sweet afternoon snack, these bars are sure to impress. The combination of sweet, nutty, and slightly salty flavors creates a dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent. Plus, they’re easy to slice and share, making them a crowd-pleaser every time.

Ingredients for Pecan Pie Bars

• For the Crust:
  • ¾ cup (3¾oz/105g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (2oz/57g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup (1oz/28g) cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) butter (cold and diced)
• For the Filling:
  • 2 cups (10oz/284g) pecans (toasted and roughly chopped)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ⅔ cup (5floz/142ml) pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (2oz/28g) butter (melted)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch (20cm) square baking pan with aluminum foil and set aside.
2. Make the crust: In a food processor or large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add cold butter and pulse or cut in with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles damp crumbs and starts to clump together.
3. Press the crust: Gather the dough into a ball, transfer to the prepared pan, and press evenly into the bottom. Prick all over with a fork.
4. Bake the crust: Bake for 15 minutes or until dry and pale golden. Remove from the oven and increase the heat to 400°F (200°C).
5. Add the pecans: Spread the toasted pecans evenly over the warm crust.
6. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and set aside. In a small saucepan, cook maple syrup and sugar over medium heat until the temperature reaches 225°F (110°C) on a candy thermometer.
7. Combine filling ingredients: Gradually drizzle the hot syrup into the eggs, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Strain the mixture into a glass measuring cup, then whisk in melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt.
8. Assemble and bake: Pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the pecans in the crust. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (180°C) and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until the edges are set and the filling is bubbling.
9. Cool and serve: Let cool completely in the pan before removing and cutting into 9 squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions

These Pecan Pie Bars are delicious on their own, but they shine even brighter with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a cozy fall treat, pair them with a warm cup of spiced chai or apple cider. They also make a great addition to a dessert platter alongside chocolate truffles or shortbread cookies.

Keep It Fresh: Storage Tips

Store your Pecan Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Mix It Up: Recipe Variations

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Swap the pecans for walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for a warm spice twist. For a chocolatey version, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars or mix in chocolate chips with the pecans.

Time-Saving Hacks

To save time, toast the pecans in advance and store them in an airtight container. You can also prepare the crust dough the night before and refrigerate it, then press it into the pan when ready to bake. Using a food processor for the crust will also speed up the process significantly.

Essential Equipment Tips

A candy thermometer is key for ensuring the maple syrup mixture reaches the right temperature. If you don’t have one, cook the syrup until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. A glass measuring cup with a pour spout makes it easier to drizzle the filling evenly over the crust without spills.

Pecan Pie Bars

Shaziya

These Pecan Pie Bars are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, offering all the rich, buttery flavors of pecan pie in a convenient, handheld treat. The prep time is just 20 minutes, making it easy to whip up for any occasion, while the 55-minute bake fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 9

Ingredients

  

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For the Crust:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (3¾oz/105g)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (2oz/57g)
• ¼ cup cornstarch (1oz/28g)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter (4oz/115g, cold and diced)

For the Filling:

• 2 cups pecans (10oz/284g, toasted and roughly chopped)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• ⅔ cup pure maple syrup (5floz/142ml)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (4oz/115g)
• 4 tablespoons butter (2oz/28g, melted)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8-inch (20cm) square baking pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a food processor or in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
• Add the cold butter and pulse or cut in with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles damp crumbs and starts to clump together.
• Gather the dough into a ball and then transfer to the prepared baking pan and press the dough evenly into the bottom.
• Prick all over with a fork and bake until the crust is dry and pale golden, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the crust from the oven and turn the heat up to 400°F (200°C).
• Spread the pecans evenly over the warm crust.
• Make the Filling: In a small mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and set them aside.
• Cook the maple syrup and sugar in a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer over medium heat until the temperature registers 225°F (110°C).
• Very gradually drizzle the hot syrup into the eggs, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
• Strain the mixture into a glass measuring cup with a pour spout and then whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, and salt.
• Pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the pecans in the crust and bake for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, lower the heat to 350°F (180°C) and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until the edges are set and the filling is bubbling.
• Let cool completely in the pan before removing and cutting into 9 squares. Store, loosely covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keyword bars, dessert, pecan, pie, shortbread

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