Easy Layered Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

If you’re a fan of pecan pie but want an easier way to serve it for holiday gatherings, this pecan pie bars recipe is the perfect option. With a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet filling that tastes like traditional pecan pie, these bars are a huge hit at Thanksgiving dinner, potlucks, and family get-togethers.

As a productivity manager, I love desserts that are delicious but also easy to prepare. These dessert bars are one of those quick desserts. In fact, I like to make an extra batch of the topping and use it on frozen yogurt or ice cream as a second quick fall dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A buttery shortbread base that’s easier than pie dough or a classic pie crust
• Sweet pecan pie filling loaded with chopped pecans and a nutty aroma
• Easy pecan pie bars that are easy to cut and serve
• Perfect pecan pie bars for a big crowd or small holiday gathering
• Tastes like a piece of pecan pie but in bar form for easier serving
• Stores well in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil

Ingredients for delicious pecan pie bars

• Softened unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• All purpose flour
• Light corn syrup
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans

Equipment and kitchen tools

• 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper
• Pastry cutter

How to make this pecan pie bar recipe

1. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use a pastry cutter or a fork to combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, salt, and all purpose flour. Keep cutting the butter and flour together until the ingredients are well combined and a crumbly dough has formed.
3. Press this mixture into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
4. Bake for 20—22 min.
5. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the light corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, 2 tbsp. all purpose flour, vanilla, salt, and chopped pecans.
6. After the crust has baked, pour this mixture over the crust.
7. Return the pan to the oven, and bake for 25—30 minutes.
8. Allow the pecan pie bars to cool to room temperature, and then chill in the refrigerator for 6 hours, or over night.
9. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Tips for the Best Results

• Line the bottom of the prepared pan with parchment paper to make lifting the bars easier.
• Use a pastry cutter, fork, or even a food processor to create a coarse meal for the crust mixture before pressing it into an even layer.
• Bake the crust until golden brown before adding the pecan pie filling. This step gives you that buttery shortbread crust instead of a soggy base.
• Let the bars cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight. This makes cutting cleaner squares the next time you serve them.
• For the easiest way to slice, use a sharp knife and wipe between cuts.

Substitutions and Variations

• Swap light corn syrup with dark corn syrup for a richer flavor.
• Add a tiny bit of brown butter to the crust mixture for extra depth.
• Try using pecan halves instead of chopped pecans for a different look.
• Stir in a splash of heavy cream or chocolate chips for a chocolate pecan pie twist.
• For a larger batch, double the recipe and bake in a sheet pan lined with nonstick cooking spray.

FAQs About This Recipe

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Pecan Pie Bars

Raquel Pineira

These Easy Pecan Pie Bars have all the flavor of classic pecan pie without the fuss! Perfect for holiday parties, bake sales, or make-ahead desserts. These dessert bars are topped with a buttery crust and rich pecan filling that makes them irresistible.

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Calories 325 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

 

• Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment.
• In a large mixing bowl, use a pastry cutter or a fork to combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, salt, and all purpose flour. Keep cutting the butter and flour together until the ingredients are well combined and a crumbly dough has formed.
• Press this mixture into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
• Bake for 20-22 min.
• Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the light corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, 2 tbsp. all purpose flour, vanilla, salt, and chopped pecans.
• After the crust has baked, pour this mixture over the crust.
• Return the pan to the oven, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Allow the pecan pie bars to cool to room temperature, and then chill in the refrigerator for 6 hours, or over night.
• Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 216mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 325IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

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