How to Make the Perfect Pecan Pie Bars
American · Easy · 50 min · 16 servings
These pecan pie bars deliver all the flavors of the classic holiday pie in an easy to eat kid friendly bar form that little hands can pick up without a fork. The buttery shortbread base topped with a gooey brown sugar and pecan filling makes these bars a crowd pleasing treat for kids and adults.
Why this recipe works
This Pecan Pie Bars recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 265 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 0.25 cup powdered sugar
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
- 0.25 cup honey
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1.5 cup roughly chopped pecans
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Prebake the Crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour and powdered sugar then cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into a parchment lined 8x8 inch pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Pecan Filling
In a small saucepan combine brown sugar honey and heavy cream over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles gently for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pecans.
Step 3: Top and Bake
Pour the hot pecan filling evenly over the prebaked crust spreading the pecans to cover the surface. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 18 to 20 minutes until the filling is bubbly and set.
Step 4: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan at room temperature for at least 2 hours. The filling will firm up as it cools. Lift out using parchment and slice into bars with a sharp knife.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- pecans → walnuts or mixed nuts for a different flavor
- honey → maple syrup for a warm maple flavor twist
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Slicing the bars while they are still warm which causes the sticky filling to spread and make a mess
- Not pressing the crust firmly enough into the pan which results in a crumbly base that falls apart
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 265 calories, 3g protein, 30g carbs, 16g fat, 1g fiber.
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