Description
These Simple Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery, pecan-studded shortbread crust with a rich, gooey pecan pie filling. Perfectly baked to golden perfection and chilled for easy slicing, they offer a delightful balance of crunchy and chewy textures, ideal for dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
For the filling:
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups light or dark corn syrup
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking as soon as your crust and filling are assembled.
- Prepare the Pecan Shortbread Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans. Cut in the room temperature butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, patting it down to form an even crust and pressing slightly up the curved edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until the crust is lightly golden brown.
- Prepare the Pecan Pie Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until well combined. Gradually mix in corn syrup and maple syrup, then stir in chopped pecans, completing the filling.
- Assemble and Bake the Bars: Pour the pecan pie filling over the hot crust, spreading evenly. Return to the 350° oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until a knife inserted one inch from the edge comes out clean and the filling is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool, Chill, and Slice: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to facilitate slicing. Use a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts, to slice into squares.
Notes
- Using a mix of light and dark corn syrup adds a deeper flavor to the filling.
- Make sure the butter for the crust is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Chilling the bars after baking helps achieve clean, neat slices.
- Pressing the crust slightly up the sides prevents the filling from spilling over.
- If pecans are not finely chopped for the crust, the texture will be less even; chopping finely is recommended.
- Prep Time: 23 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pecan pie bars, pecan bars, pecan dessert, shortbread crust, holiday dessert, nut bars
