There’s a special magic in pecan desserts. They perfectly capture the essence of comfort, with their rich, nutty flavor and satisfying sweetness. From classic pies to modern treats, the humble pecan is a true star in the world of baking. This recipe for the ultimate pecan pie bars delivers all the decadent flavor of the traditional pie but with a delightfully simple, shareable twist.
Forget the stress of a perfect pie crust. These bars feature a buttery shortbread base that is both forgiving and incredibly delicious. Topped with a gooey, caramel-like pecan filling, they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to a simple weeknight treat.
Look at those layers! Pure pecan dessert perfection.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Pecan Pie Bars
If you’re searching for incredible pecan desserts that never disappoint, look no further. These bars are the perfect combination of textures and flavors, making them an instant favorite.
Easier Than Pie: Get the iconic flavor of pecan pie without the fuss of rolling out and crimping a delicate crust. A simple press-in shortbread crust makes this recipe accessible to all skill levels.
Perfectly Portable: Unlike a slice of pie, these bars are sturdy and easy to transport, making them ideal for potlucks, bake sales, and holiday parties. Check out our other favorite holiday appetizers for more party-friendly ideas.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of a buttery crust, a sweet and gooey filling, and crunchy, toasty pecans is simply irresistible.
Incredibly Versatile: Serve them as is, warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or drizzled with chocolate for an extra layer of decadence.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Pecan Desserts
The best pecan desserts start with high-quality ingredients. This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a truly spectacular treat. Here’s what you’ll need.
For the Buttery Shortbread Crust
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our sturdy yet tender crust.
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s cold and cubed. This creates a flaky, tender texture.
Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of moisture and molasses flavor that complements the pecans.
Salt: Balances the sweetness of the crust and filling.
For the Rich Pecan Pie Filling
Pecan Halves: The star of the show! Using halves provides the best texture and visual appeal.
Corn Syrup: This is the secret to that classic gooey texture that doesn’t crystallize.
Eggs: Act as a binder, giving the filling structure as it bakes.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and a silky mouthfeel.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the filling.
Fresh from the oven and ready to cool. The hardest part is waiting!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your New Favorite Pecan Dessert
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious pecan pie bars you’ve ever tasted. We’re breaking it down so it’s easy for anyone to follow along.
Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Crust
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as handles later. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden.
Step 2: Mix the Gooey Pecan Filling
While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined. Be careful not to overmix; you just want everything incorporated. Gently stir in the pecan halves.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Once the crust is out of the oven, pour the pecan filling evenly over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. The center should be set, and the edges should be bubbly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. This step is crucial for clean slices!
Pro Tips for a Flawless Finish
Want to ensure your pecan desserts are the best they can be? Follow these expert tips.
Toast Your Pecans: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, toast your pecans on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the filling.
Don’t Overbake: The filling will continue to set as it cools. Pull the bars from the oven when the center is just barely set to avoid a dry texture.
Cool Completely: We can’t stress this enough! Allowing the bars to cool for at least 2 hours at room temperature is essential for clean cuts and the perfect gooey texture. For even cleaner cuts, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic recipe is a standout, it’s also a fantastic base for other flavors. If you love experimenting, try one of these simple additions.
Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars: Stir 1 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips into the filling along with the pecans.
Bourbon Pecan Bars: Add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite bourbon to the filling for a warm, spirited kick.
Salted Caramel Pecan Bars: After the bars have cooled, drizzle them with a quality salted caramel sauce. For a homemade touch, try a recipe similar to our caramel apple cheesecake dip.
Store your pecan pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, they will last in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the cooled, uncut slab tightly in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
Without a doubt, the most popular and classic pecan dessert is the Southern Pecan Pie. However, pecan pie bars, like this recipe, are incredibly popular because they offer the same beloved flavor in an easier-to-make and shareable format.
The main difference is the crust and shape. Pecan pie is baked in a round pie dish with a traditional flaky pastry crust. Pecan bars are baked in a rectangular pan and have a sturdy, buttery shortbread crust, making them easier to slice and serve to a crowd.
While not strictly necessary, toasting your pecans for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the filling is highly recommended. It deepens their nutty flavor and enhances their crunchy texture, taking your pecan desserts to the next level.
The pecan bars are done when the filling is set in the center. It should not jiggle when you gently shake the pan. The edges will also be slightly puffed and bubbly. Be careful not to overbake, as the filling will continue to firm up as it cools.
Pecan has a rich, buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with many other ingredients. Classic pairings include chocolate, caramel, maple, and bourbon. Spices like cinnamon and cardamom also complement pecans wonderfully.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you love these pecan pie bars as much as we do! They have become one of our go-to pecan desserts for sharing with family and friends. If you tried this recipe, we would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
All the flavor of pecan pie, but so much easier to make!
The Ultimate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
FL Recipes
Pecan Desserts: The Ultimate Pecan Pie Bar Recipe
Discover the ultimate pecan dessert with these incredible Pecan Pie Bars! A buttery shortbread crust topped with a rich, gooey pecan filling makes for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that's perfect for any occasion.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, 1 cup brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Stir in the pecan halves.
Pour the filling evenly over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the center is set.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before using the parchment handles to lift them out. Slice into 16 bars and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcalProtein: 4gFat: 22gFiber: 2g
Notes
Toasting Pecans: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast pecans on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before using. Cooling is Key: Ensure bars are fully cooled before slicing for clean, neat cuts. Chilling for 30 minutes in the fridge can help. Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Keyword easy pecan recipe,pecan desserts,pecan pie bars
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
