Description
These Simple Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich, gooey pecan pie filling for a delightful dessert bar perfect for any occasion. With a perfectly balanced sweetness and crunchy pecans, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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 flour, white sugar, salt, and finely chopped pecans. Cut in the room temperature butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, slightly pressing up the edges. Bake for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Prepare the Pecan Pie Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together the brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth. Gradually stir in both corn syrup and maple syrup, then fold in the chopped pecans.
- Assemble and Bake the Bars: Pour the prepared filling evenly over the hot crust. Return to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set but slightly jiggles in the center and a knife inserted near the edge comes out clean.
- Cool, Chill, and Slice: Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the bars. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts, to slice into squares for serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, use a combination of light and dark corn syrup.
- Room temperature butter helps to create the perfect crust texture.
- Chilling the bars before slicing makes cleaner cuts.
- You can store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts to prevent the filling from sticking.
- Prep Time: 23 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pecan pie bars, pecan bar recipe, pecan dessert bars, simple pecan bars, pecan shortbread crust, pecan pie filling, easy pecan bars
