Print

Best Ever Simple Pecan Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust

Close-up of two stacked pecan pie bars showing the thick, gooey filling and buttery crust.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make these easy pecan pie bars for a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert. They feature a rich, buttery shortbread crust and a gooey, sweet pecan filling, offering all the flavor of traditional pie in a convenient bar format.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
  4. While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
  5. Gently stir in the pecans until they are coated in the filling mixture.
  6. Pour the pecan filling evenly over the hot, partially baked shortbread crust.
  7. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are bubbly.
  8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 2 hours.
  9. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cooled bars from the pan. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute maple syrup for half of the corn syrup in the filling.
  • Cooling completely before cutting prevents the gooey filling from running out.
  • These bars freeze well for later enjoyment.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/pecan-pie-bars/