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Simple Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

4.5 from 70 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Add Pecans to Filling: Stir the chopped pecans into the filling mixture, distributing them evenly throughout.
  6. Assemble Bars: Pour the pecan filling over the hot baked crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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