Simple Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

What makes pecan pie bars so good?

Especially popular during the fall and holiday seasons, pecan pie bars are the perfect marriage of pecan pie and shortbread cookies, which is why they are well loved.

I like that this bar recipe is perfect as a dessert or for sharing with others at a gathering or potluck dinner.

Have you tried My Layered Magic Cookie Bars?

Those magic cookie bars feature a gooey chocolate on top of a graham cracker crust. Both this recipe for pecan pie bars and that recipe for magic cookie bars are great tasting dessert recipes that are simple to make.

Chopped pecans are an important ingredient used in this recipe. You can find chopped pecans here.

What you need to make pecan pie bars with shortbread crust.

Crust

• Butter. If you are using unsalted butter you can add a half teaspoon of salt to the sugar. Your butter should be softened to room temperature.
• Sugar. Use granulated sugar.
• Flour Regular all purpose flour.

Filling.

• Corn Syrup. Light corn syrup was used to make my bars.
• Brown Sugar. Dark brown sugar was used to make my bars but light could also work.
• Eggs. Room temperature.
• Flour. Regular all purpose flour.
• Vanilla Extract. For flavor balance.
• Salt. Helps to bring out the other flavors in the filling.
• Pecans. Your pecans should be chopped.

How to make Homemade Pecan Pie Bars.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes .
• Bake Time: 50-60 minutes .
• Servings: 16 bars, depending on how they are cut .
• How to Serve: Serve as is with your favorite beverage.
• Notes: You will need a square baking pan, mixing bowls, and a pastry cutter.

1. Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350f and prep your baking pan with parchment paper that overhangs the edges of the pan.
2. Crust. Place the crust ingredients into a large mixing bowl and use a pastry cutter (or fork) to cut the butter into the dry ingredients (this step can also be done in a food processor). Once the ingredients are combined and resemble or crumbly texture, you can press them into the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake the crust for until it turns light brown, (about 18-20 minutes).
3. Filling. To make the filling, in a clean large mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine together the corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Once the ingredients you can stir in the flour and then the pecans.
4. Layer. When your crust is done baking, carefully remove it from the oven and pour the filling ingredients over the crust, evenly spreading the ingredients.
5. Bake. Return the bars to your oven and continue to bake until the center of the bars appears to set and not jiggly (about 25-30 minutes)
6. Cool. Allow the bars to fully cool before using the ends of the parchment paper to lift them from the pan. To cut the bars, first slice the bars in half and then continue to slice the halves in half until your have 16 or the number of bars desired.

Tips for making the best pecan pie bars.

Light brown corn syrup is used for this recipe because of its ability to add a gooey and smooth texture to the filling. Pure maple syrup can be used instead however, syrup may create a slightly looser filling.

More helpful tips for you.

1. My bars were made in a square 8x8" baking pan. To make more bars that are also smaller, you can use a large pan such as a 9x9" pan. While you could use a baking dish to make this recipe, note that the baking times will vary as a result.
2. When you press the crust ingredients into your pan, make sure that you press the ingredients firmly and evenly into the pan in order to make an even crust. An uneven crust will lead to some parts of the crust being underbaked, while others are too thin and brittle.
3. It is really important that the bars are fully and totally cooled before you go to cut them into servings. Cutting them too early will result in a messy disaster and ruin your bars. I refrigerate mine overnight once they have cooled to room temperature.

How to store Pecan Pie Bars

Once your pecan pie bars have fully set, they can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, pecan pie bars should keep for up to three days at room temperature, a week when refrigerated, or frozen for up to a few months.

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