4.8 from 111 votes
Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a rich filling of butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cream, eggs, and chopped pecans. Baked in a sheet pan, they are cut into bars with a sticky, caramelized top and a tender, slightly chewy base. The recipe includes options for chocolate chips in the filling and suggests pure maple syrup for a depth of flavor. These bars provide a handheld version of traditional pecan pie, suitable for casual dessert or snacks.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
24
Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Crust:
- ¾ cup butter softened, salted
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Pecan Filling:
- ¾ cup butter melted, salted
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup not pancake syrup (see note)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 egg large
- 2 ½ cups pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside.
- For the crust, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the flour and salt, and mix until combined. It will be crumbly (might be easier to finish the mixing with your hands).
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes until just barely golden. It will bake longer with the filling.
- For the filling, in a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cream, salt, and eggs until well-combined. Stir in the pecans.
- Pour the filling evenly over the crust, using a spatula to make sure the pecans aren't clumped up in any area (just get them as evenly distributed as possible).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are starting to set and the mixture is bubbling. The middle will still be a little jiggly but will set up as the bars cool. If the middle seems overly soupy when the pan is shaken gently, bake for another few minutes, but keep in mind you definitely want to take the bars out before the middle is set.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. These are delicious at room temperature or chilled.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a chocolate variation, add 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips to the filling before baking.
- Use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup for a richer flavor; light corn syrup might be a substitute but is untested.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 Bar
Calories
320kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
21g
(32%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
54mg
(18%)
Sodium
164mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
22g
(44%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24 Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Amount Per Serving
Calories
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Bar | |
| Calories | 320kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 164mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.