Pecan Pie Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that captures the rich, sweet flavor of traditional pecan pie, but in bar form. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust and a sticky, caramelized pecan filling. Here’s a simple recipe to make them:
Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
For the filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecans (chopped or whole, depending on your preference)
Instructions:
- Make the Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang to easily lift the bars out later.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter cubes and cut them into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Stir in the pecans.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Pour the pecan filling over the warm crust, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly bubbly around the edges.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
- Serve:
- Cut the bars into squares and serve. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer shelf life.
- Add-ins: Feel free to experiment by adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.
These bars are perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any occasion when you want a sweet, nutty treat!
