Hey fellow food lovers! Nyla here, ready to share another recipe that’ll turn your kitchen into a flavor party. If you’re anything like me, you crave those cozy, comforting desserts, but sometimes a whole pie feels like a bit much. That’s where these incredible Pecan Pie Bars come in! They give you all the deliciousness of pecan pie in a perfectly portioned, easy-to-make bar.
This recipe was born out of a late-night kitchen experiment. I was craving pecan pie, but didn’t want the fuss of making a whole pie crust. I thought, “Why not press the crust into a pan and make bars?” The result was a total game-changer. The rich, nutty filling combined with the buttery crust created pure magic.
These Pecan Pie Bars are absolutely perfect for potlucks, game nights, or when you simply need a sweet treat to brighten your day. The best part? Everyone who tried them did a little happy dance after the first bite! It was then I knew I had to share this recipe with you!
Get ready for a flavor adventure that’s both simple and satisfying. These Pecan Pie Bars are about to become your new go-to dessert. So grab your apron, and let’s get baking!
INGREDIENTS You Need
This Pecan Pie Bars ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! You can grab everything you need during your normal grocery run. Get ready to transform simple ingredients into something truly special!
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of our buttery shortbread crust.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes: Cold butter is key for a flaky crust.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- 4 tablespoons ice water: Helps bring the dough together without overworking it.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: This gives the filling its rich, caramel-like flavor.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture to the filling.
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup: Keeps the filling smooth and prevents it from crystallizing.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the filling together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness in the filling.
- 2 cups pecan halves: The star of the show!
No worries if you don’t have light corn syrup – I use honey all the time in my Pecan Pie Bars for a slightly different flavor profile. This Pecan Pie Bars gets its amazing taste from high-quality pecans, so make sure yours are fresh! I love adding a sprinkle of sea salt to my Pecan Pie Bars for that extra kick.
For a shortcut, you can use pre-chopped pecans. Just be sure to store your pecans in the freezer to keep them fresh. This Pecan Pie Bars ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! Here’s my Pecan Pie Bars secret that takes it from good to incredible: a tiny pinch of cinnamon in the crust!
Let’s Make Some!
This is my favorite part of making Pecan Pie Bars – watch the delicious magic happen! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey Pecan Pie Bars in no time. Let’s get baking!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures the Pecan Pie Bars don’t stick.
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This is where the magic starts happening!
- Add the ice water and mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Stir in the pecan halves.
- Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown. This is where the magic starts happening!
- Let the Pecan Pie Bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This helps the filling set properly.
In my kitchen, this Pecan Pie Bars usually takes about 28 minutes to bake to perfection. Don’t worry if your Pecan Pie Bars looks a little wobbly when you take it out of the oven; it will firm up as it cools. While your Pecan Pie Bars is doing its thing, get ready for some amazing aromas! This is my favorite part of making Pecan Pie Bars – watch the magic happen! If the crust starts to brown too quickly, tent the pan with foil.
How to Serve Up This!
People literally do happy dances when this Pecan Pie Bars hits the table with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! The warm, nutty bars combined with the cold, creamy ice cream is a match made in heaven. This Pecan Pie Bars is perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special!
I love to serve these Pecan Pie Bars slightly warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce. The extra caramel adds a decadent touch that takes them over the top. For a simple yet elegant presentation, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving.
These Pecan Pie Bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a delicious dessert. For a fun twist, try serving them with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped pecans. They also make a fantastic addition to a dessert platter.
If you have any leftover Pecan Pie Bars (though I doubt you will!), try crumbling them over ice cream or using them as a topping for yogurt parfaits. For a fusion variation, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling.
FAQs:
Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Pecan Pie Bars? Absolutely! This recipe is super straightforward and easy to follow. Even if you’re new to baking, you’ll find it a breeze.
What if I mess up my Pecan Pie Bars? (Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible!) Don’t sweat it! Even if the crust isn’t perfect or the filling cracks a little, it’ll still be delicious. That’s the beauty of comfort food – it’s forgiving!
How can I prep this Pecan Pie Bars for busy weeknights? You can make the crust ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just press it into the pan and bake it when you’re ready to assemble the bars.
Can I use a different type of nut? Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of nuts would work well in this recipe. Feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts. I got this tip from the Fort Worth Foodies group on Facebook where someone mentioned using a shortbread crust and a variety of nuts.
Can I make these Pecan Pie Bars gluten-free? Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. I’ve tried it, and it works like a charm.
How do I store these Pecan Pie Bars? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the fridge for up to a week. I love mine cold!
Can I freeze these Pecan Pie Bars? Yes, you can! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw them in the fridge before serving.
CONCLUSION:
This Pecan Pie Bars recipe brings me so much joy because it’s a comforting classic with a fun, easy twist. I love seeing the happy faces of my friends and family when they take a bite. It’s a simple dessert that delivers big on flavor and satisfaction.
- Use high-quality pecans: The better the pecans, the better the bars will taste.
- Don’t overbake: Overbaking will result in a dry, crumbly filling.
- Add a pinch of sea salt: This enhances the sweetness and adds a nice contrast to the rich, nutty flavor.
Pecan Pie Bars
These Pecan Pie Bars offer all the delicious flavors of classic pecan pie in a convenient and easy-to-eat bar form. A buttery shortbread crust is topped with a rich, gooey pecan filling for the perfect sweet treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4-6 tablespoons ice water
- For the Filling:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Prick the crust all over with a fork.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Make the Filling: While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Stir in the pecan halves.
- Pour the filling over the partially baked crust.
- Bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the bars after baking.