Pecan pie bars! Buttery shortbread crust meets a lusciously caramelized filling infused with the rich essence of earthy pecans.
We are one of those families that usually has way more desserts than we need at holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, one year we had 13 different desserts for 12 people!
Many of those are usually pies. Pies can be a lot of work to make, and these pecan pie bars might make life a little easier!
You’ll need just 5 ingredients for the crust, plus 6 ingredients and a little more salt for the filling.
Pecan Pie Bar Tips:
- Chilled Crust: Ensure your crust is well-chilled before baking. This helps create a flakier texture.
- Even Layers: When pressing the crust into the pan, make sure it’s evenly distributed to provide a consistent base. When pouring the pecan mixture, try to evenly distribute it for consistent results.
- Proper Mixing: For the filling, thoroughly mix the ingredients to achieve a balanced flavor in every bite.
- Lining the Pan: Using parchment paper in the pan aids in easy removal and cutting. Be sure it overlaps for easy lifting.
- Watch the Bake: Keep a close eye on the bars while baking. The filling should bubble and turn caramel, but avoid overbaking.
- Complete Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. This prevents them from falling apart.
- Sharp Cutting: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars cleanly and without breaking the crust.
- Airtight Storage: Store the finished bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
- Room Temperature Serving: Serve the pecan bars at room temperature to enjoy their full flavor and texture.
These are easier to make ahead of time and store until you’re ready to eat. Most people think they taste best at room temperature, though they can be warmed up too!
Especially if you want to serve them with some ice cream, that would be the way to go.
Other pecan recipes you might love: honey roasted pecans, and maple roasted squash.
Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie bars! Buttery shortbread crust meets a lusciously caramelized filling infused with the rich essence of earthy pecans.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 3⁄4 cup flour
- 1⁄3 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup cold butter pieces
For the Filling:
- 3/4 cup butter (1 1⁄2 sticks)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Begin by lining a 9-inch square baking pan.
- For the crust: Use a food processor to combine flour, confectioners sugar, cornstarch and salt. Give it a few pulses to blend the dry ingredients.
- Add the butter to the mixture and pulse a few more times until a course meal texture. No need to worry if the mixture appears dry.
- Transfer the crust mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly to create an even layer.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the crust has had its time in the refrigerator, bake it in the preheated oven for roughly 16 minutes. Our aim is to set the crust without any browning.
- Allow the crust to cool on a rack. Remember to keep the oven on, as we'll be using it again.
- For the filling: Put butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt in a medium pan over medium-low heat.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves.
- Raise the heat and let it gently boil for around 3 minutes.
- Turn off heat and then add heavy cream and chopped pecans to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Let sit for a few minutes and then pour the pecan mixture over the crust (it's okay if the crust is still warm).
- Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes (until the filling bubbles).
- Let it cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.
Notes
Store the finished bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out. They will last up to 4 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 (2-inch) squareAmount Per Serving: Calories: 317Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 259mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information is calculated automatically by an online tool at Nutritionix. It is not always accurate. Please use your own tools to check if you rely on this information.
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