Simple Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
These Simple Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a rich, gooey pecan filling to create a delicious twist on the classic pecan pie. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make and sure to impress with their nutty flavor and satisfying texture.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Make Crust Mixture: In a bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture becomes crumbly and sandy.
- Press and Bake Crust: Evenly press the crumbly crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake it for 18–20 minutes or until it turns lightly golden, then remove from the oven.
- Prepare Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, light corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Pecans to Filling: Stir the chopped pecans into the filling mixture, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the pecan filling over the hot baked crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Bake Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center of the filling is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For cleaner, easier slicing, refrigerate them for about an hour before cutting into bars.
- Serve: Serve the pecan pie bars chilled or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is cold when cutting into the flour mixture for a crumbly crust.
- Do not overbake; the filling should be just set to keep a nice chewy texture.
- Refrigerating the bars before cutting helps achieve clean slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: pecan pie bars, pecan dessert, easy pecan recipe, holiday dessert bars, nutty dessert bars