Why You’ll Love These Pecan Pie Bars
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert that combines convenience with classic flavor, these pecan pie bars are about to become your new favorite treat. They deliver all the rich, gooey goodness of traditional pecan pie but in an easy-to-serve bar form.
No fussy pie crust to worry about!
I love how these bars travel so well to potlucks and holiday gatherings. The buttery shortbread crust paired with that caramelized pecan filling? Pure heaven.
And unlike pie, you can cut them into any size you want—perfect for sneaking just a small bite.
What Ingredients are in Pecan Pie Bars?
Making these irresistible pecan pie bars requires ingredients you might already have in your pantry, plus a few special additions that create that classic pecan pie flavor we all crave. The recipe breaks down into two main components: a buttery shortbread crust that provides the perfect foundation, and that gloriously sticky, nutty topping that makes these bars so addictive.
Ready to gather everything you need?
For the Crust:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) light corn syrup
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (non-alcoholic)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (200g) pecan halves or chopped pecans
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters, especially for the pecans and butter. Fresh pecans will give you the best flavor, and unsalted butter lets you control the salt level.
You could substitute dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, or try using chopped pecans instead of halves for a different texture throughout the bars. Just remember, the corn syrup is pretty essential here—it creates that signature gooey texture that makes pecan pie so beloved.
How to Make These Pecan Pie Bars
Making these scrumptious pecan pie bars is a two-part process that’s absolutely worth the effort. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. That parchment overhang is a game-changer, trust me—it lets you lift the entire slab of bars out for clean, easy cutting later.
For the shortbread crust, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Now comes the satisfying part: cut in that cold, cubed cup of butter (226g) using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until everything looks like coarse crumbs. Who needs therapy when you can work butter into flour, right?
Press this mixture firmly and evenly into your prepared pan—really pack it down to create a solid foundation. Bake it for 18-20 minutes until it’s just lightly golden around the edges. While that’s happening, your kitchen will start smelling like heaven.
While the crust is baking, whip up that glorious filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup packed light brown sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 2 lightly beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth and well combined.
Gently fold in those 2 cups of pecans until they’re evenly coated in the sweet mixture. When the crust comes out of the oven, pour this pecan filling over the hot crust and spread it evenly.
Pop it back into the oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. The hardest part? Waiting for these bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares or rectangles. Patience yields the prettiest bars, though sometimes I can’t resist sneaking a warm, messy corner piece.
Pecan Pie Bars Substitutions and Variations
While these pecan pie bars are divine in their classic form, there’s plenty of room for delicious experimentation to suit your taste preferences or pantry situation.
I often swap honey or maple syrup for corn syrup when I’m looking for a different flavor profile. No pecans? Try walnuts or a mix of your favorite nuts instead.
For a decadent twist, fold in some chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the finished bars.
Sometimes I add a splash of bourbon (for adults only) or a pinch of cinnamon to the filling.
My personal favorite variation? A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top.
What to Serve with Pecan Pie Bars
These pecan pie bars deserve perfect companions that complement their rich, nutty sweetness.
I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—the cold creaminess against the warm, chewy bars is simply divine.
Coffee works wonders too. A bold dark roast cuts through the sweetness, or try a latte if you’re feeling fancy.
Sometimes I add a dollop of lightly whipped cream with a tiny pinch of cinnamon.
For a more substantial dessert spread, these bars play nicely alongside fresh berries or a tart apple compote.
The fruit’s acidity balances all that caramelized goodness.
Final Thoughts
After baking these pecan pie bars countless times, I’ve discovered they’re truly the perfect dessert for almost any occasion.
The buttery shortbread crust paired with that gooey, nutty filling creates magic in every bite.
What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. Make them for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just because it’s Tuesday.
They store beautifully for days, though mine rarely last that long.
Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- For the crust, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press mixture firmly and evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden around edges.
- While crust bakes, prepare filling by whisking together brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Fold in pecans until evenly coated.
- Pour filling over hot crust and spread evenly.
- Return to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until filling is set but still slightly jiggly in center.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
