Pecan Desserts: The Ultimate Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars

Welcome to the world of unforgettable pecan desserts! If you’re searching for a treat that combines buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and toasted pecans, you’ve found it. These Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect answer to your dessert cravings. They deliver all the classic flavor of a traditional pecan pie but are far easier to make, serve, and share. This recipe is destined to become a staple for your holiday gatherings and special occasions.

Why This is the Best Pecan Dessert Recipe

In a world full of complex pecan desserts, this recipe stands out for its simplicity and incredible flavor. The buttery shortbread crust provides the perfect stable, melt-in-your-mouth base. On top, a rich, caramel-like filling bubbles around perfectly toasted pecans, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt cuts through the sweetness, making each bite absolutely irresistible. It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that feels gourmet but is secretly simple to prepare.

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Pecan Pie Bars

The magic of these bars lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients. There’s no need for corn syrup here; we create a richer, more complex caramel flavor with brown sugar and butter. 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! This creates a flaky, shortbread-like texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of moisture and molasses flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the butter’s flavor.

For the Ooey-Gooey Pecan Filling

• Pecan Halves: The star of the show! Use fresh, raw pecans for the best flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our rich caramel filling.
• Brown Sugar: Creates that deep, molasses-rich caramel base.
• Honey: Adds a lovely floral note and helps prevent crystallization.
• Heavy Cream: Gives the filling its luxuriously smooth and creamy consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors.
• Flaky Sea Salt: The secret ingredient! It elevates the dessert from sweet to sublime.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious pecan desserts you’ve ever tasted. We’ll start with the crust and then move on to the decadent filling.

Making the Crust

1. Prepare Your Pan: 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 act as handles. This makes lifting the bars out later a breeze.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt.
3. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press and Bake: Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

Preparing the Filling & Baking

1. Melt Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
2. Boil and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a boil and let it bubble for exactly one minute without stirring. This step is crucial for the caramel to set properly. After a minute, remove from the heat.
3. Finish the Filling: Carefully stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up, so be cautious. Finally, fold in the pecan halves until they are fully coated.
4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the warm pecan filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and set around the edges.
5. Cool and Set: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This can take a few hours, but patience is key for clean cuts! Once cool, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Pro Tips for Unforgettable Pecan Desserts

A few simple tips can take your pecan pie bars from great to extraordinary. Toasting the pecans beforehand can deepen their nutty flavor. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. For an extra layer of decadence, consider adding chocolate chips to the filling. If you enjoy treats with a similar flavor profile, you might also love these easy Rolo Pretzel Turtles.

Storing and Freezing Your Pecan Pie Bars

These bars store wonderfully, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert. Once completely cooled and cut, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. For other holiday baking inspiration, check out these festive M&M Christmas Cookie Bars.

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How do I know when my pecan pie bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the filling is bubbly all over and the edges are set and slightly browned. The center may still have a very slight wobble, but it will firm up as it cools.

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Can I make these pecan desserts ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are a fantastic make-ahead dessert. You can bake them up to 2-3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

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Should pecan pie bars be refrigerated?

Yes, for the best freshness and to help them stay firm, it’s recommended to store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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What’s the best way to cut pecan pie bars cleanly?

For the cleanest cuts, ensure the bars are thoroughly chilled. It helps to refrigerate them for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. Use a large, sharp knife, and wipe the blade clean between each cut.

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Can I use a different type of nut in this recipe?

While pecans are classic, this recipe is also delicious with walnuts or even a mix of pecans and chocolate chips. The core method for the caramel filling will remain the same.

More Holiday Desserts to Try

We hope you love these Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars! They are truly one of our favorite pecan desserts. If you’re looking for more inspiration for your holiday table, don’t miss our famous Italian Pizzelle Recipe. Share your beautiful creations and find more recipes by following us on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see you there!

Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

FL Recipes

Pecan Desserts: The Ultimate Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars

The ultimate pecan dessert! These Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a gooey brown sugar caramel filling, and toasted pecans. An easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for the holidays.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 24 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Shortbread Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Pecan Filling

• 3 cups pecan halves raw
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch Baking Pan
• 1 Saucepan

Method

 

Making the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt.
3. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Preparing the Filling & Baking

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and dissolved.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it bubble for exactly one minute without stirring. Remove from heat.
3. Carefully stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Fold in the pecan halves until fully coated.
4. Pour the warm pecan filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and set around the edges.
5. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, cut into bars, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalProtein: 3gFat: 18gFiber: 2g

Notes

Toasting Pecans: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the pecans in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the filling.
Clean Cuts: Ensure the bars are completely cool before cutting. For extra clean slices, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and use a hot, clean knife.

Keyword holiday baking,pecan desserts,pecan pie bars

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