Festive Maple Pecan Bars Recipe

These Festive Maple Pecan Bars begin with a shortbread crust made from a mix of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, dark brown sugar, salt, and melted butter. After combining, the dough is pressed into a parchment-lined baking dish and baked until set and lightly golden. This crust is delicate but sturdy enough to support the rich topping.

The pecan filling is cooked on the stovetop by melting butter with brown sugar and pure maple syrup. Once the sugar dissolves, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and additional salt are whisked in. Chopped pecans are folded into this warm mixture. The sticky filling is spread evenly over the cooled crust and baked to meld flavors and set the topping.

The final bars have a tender, slightly crumbly base with a glossy, gooey pecan maple layer on top. The pecans provide a crunchy texture contrast while the maple syrup and brown sugar contribute deep sweetness and caramel notes. These bars make a suitable dessert or festive snack and can be sliced for sharing.