Easy Pecan Pie Bars
why make this recipe
Pecan pie bars are a delightful twist on the classic pie. They are easy to make, and everyone loves the sweet, nutty flavor combined with a buttery crust. This recipe brings the taste of pecan pie to a hand-held dessert, perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying with your afternoon coffee. Plus, they’re simple enough for beginners and will impress your friends and family!
how to make Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold, diced
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup honey
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans (14 oz)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, combine flour, powdered sugar, and sea salt. Add cold, diced butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crust mixture into the prepared baking pan in an even layer. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, honey, and heavy whipping cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract, sea salt, and chopped pecans.
- Pour the pecan mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the filling is bubbling and golden.
- Let the pecan pie bars cool completely before cutting into squares. Enjoy your delicious pecan pie bars!
how to serve Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Serve these bars at room temperature as a lovely dessert or snack. You can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra indulgence!
how to store Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Store your pecan pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
tips to make Easy Pecan Pie Bars
- Ensure your butter is cold for the crust to get that perfect texture.
- Don’t skip the cooling step—this helps the bars firm up before cutting.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the bars after baking for a nice contrast to the sweetness.
variation
You can mix in other nuts such as walnuts or almonds if you want a different flavor. For a chocolate twist, add some semi-sweet chocolate chips to the pecan filling!
FAQs
1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Yes, you can. Just add a little extra salt in your recipe if you prefer the taste.
2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake these bars the day before serving. Just store them properly as mentioned above.
3. What should I do if I don’t have a food processor?
You can mix the crust ingredients by hand using a pastry cutter or your fingers until you achieve a crumbly texture.
Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold, diced Ensure butter is cold for the best texture
For the filling
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup honey
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 0.25 cup heavy whipping cream
- 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3.5 cups coarsely chopped pecans (14 oz)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, combine flour, powdered sugar, and sea salt. Add cold, diced butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crust mixture into the prepared baking pan in an even layer. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until lightly golden.
Making the Filling
- While the crust is baking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, honey, and heavy whipping cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract, sea salt, and chopped pecans.
Baking
- Pour the pecan mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the filling is bubbling and golden.
- Let the pecan pie bars cool completely before cutting into squares.
