Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Simple Pecan Pie Bars featuring a buttery pecan shortbread crust and a rich, sweet pecan pie filling baked to perfection. These bars are perfect for dessert lovers craving the classic pecan pie flavor in a convenient bar form.
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, salt, and finely chopped pecans. Cut in the room temperature butter until the mixture has a texture similar to wet sand. Press this mixture evenly across the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, forming a smooth, even crust slightly up the curved edges. Bake for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Prepare the Pecan Pie Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together the packed brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking well to combine. Gradually add the corn syrup and maple syrup, mixing thoroughly. Stir in the chopped pecans to finish the filling.
- Assemble and Bake the Bars: Pour the prepared filling over the hot crust, spreading it evenly. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the edges comes out clean and the center is just a little jiggly for optimal texture.
- Cool, Chill, and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the filling for easier slicing. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts, to slice into squares.
Notes
- Use a combination of light and dark corn syrup for a deeper, richer flavor in the filling.
- Room temperature butter is essential for achieving the perfect shortbread crust texture.
- Chill the bars well before slicing for clean, neat squares.
- Storing leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator keeps them fresh up to 5 days.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pecan pie bars, pecan bars, pecan dessert bars, pecan shortbread crust, easy pecan pie bars, holiday dessert
