Pecan Pie Bars
In short: Gooey brown sugar and pecan filling on a thick shortbread base, cut into squares. All the flavor of pecan pie, with a pressed-in crust. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 265 kcal
Pecan pie bars turn the filling and crunch of a pecan pie into portable squares with a thick shortbread base. They are easier than a pie because the crust is pressed into the pan instead of rolled, and they cut cleanly and keep well for days. The filling is a glossy mix of brown sugar, syrup and butter, set with eggs and loaded with pecans. Serve small pieces, because they are rich.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 23 cm (9 in) square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- For the crust, mix the flour, powdered sugar and salt. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture looks like damp crumbs and holds together when pinched.
- Press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the base of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until pale golden. Leave the oven on.
- For the filling, whisk the brown sugar, syrup and melted butter until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla and salt, then stir in the pecans.
- Pour the filling over the hot crust and spread the nuts evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is puffed and only slightly wobbly.
- Cool completely in the pan, then chill for 1 hour. Lift out and cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife, wiping it between cuts.
Tips
- Toast the pecans at 180°C (350°F) for 8 minutes before chopping. They taste deeper and stay crunchy, and chopped nuts slice more cleanly than whole halves.
- Maple syrup works in place of golden syrup or corn syrup, but it is thinner, so bake the bars 3 to 5 minutes longer.
Questions and answers
Can I make pecan pie bars without corn syrup?
Yes. Use golden syrup, maple syrup or honey in the same amount. Maple syrup and honey are thinner, so the bars need a few more minutes in the oven.
How do I know when the filling is set?
The edges should be firm and puffed, and the center should wobble only slightly when you nudge the pan. It firms up completely as it cools.
How long do pecan pie bars keep?
Covered, they keep for 3 days at room temperature or 1 week in the fridge. They freeze well for 3 months.
How long does it take to make Pecan Pie Bars?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pecan Pie Bars?
About 265 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 265 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
