Description
Pecan pie bars deliver Southern comfort in each delectable bite, blending buttery crust with rich caramel and toasted pecans. Crisp edges and gooey centers make these bars a perfect dessert for family gatherings and holiday celebrations you’ll savor down to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup corn syrup (light or dark)
Filling Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Transform the kitchen into a warm, inviting space by heating the oven to a precise 350F (175C), creating the perfect environment for baking.
- Craft a delicate shortbread foundation by combining flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter into a smooth, cohesive mixture that will cradle the rich pecan topping.
- Gently press the shortbread mixture into a prepared baking pan, ensuring an even, compact layer that will serve as the crisp base for the dessert.
- Allow the shortbread crust to develop a light golden hue by baking for 15-18 minutes, then set aside to cool and stabilize its structure.
- In a simmering saucepan, coax brown sugar, corn syrup, and heavy cream into a luxurious, bubbling harmony, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Remove the sugary mixture from heat and introduce eggs, vanilla, and salt, whisking to create a silky, rich filling that will bind the pecans together.
- Fold chopped pecans into the luscious filling, ensuring each nut is lovingly coated with the sweet, creamy mixture.
- Pour the pecan-laden filling over the cooled shortbread crust, spreading it carefully to create an even, tempting layer.
- Return the pan to the oven, allowing the filling to bake for 25-30 minutes until it sets with a gentle firmness that promises a perfect texture.
- Exercise patience by letting the bars cool completely, allowing the flavors to meld and the filling to set to a delectable consistency.
- Slice the cooled creation into elegant squares, presenting a dessert that balances the richness of pecans with the delicate crunch of shortbread.
- Elevate the experience by serving the bars as a standalone treat or with a decadent drizzle of caramel or a cloud of whipped cream.
Notes
- Customize the crust by swapping all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delectable bars.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to the filling to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile that elevates the entire dessert.
- Prevent filling from becoming too runny by ensuring eggs are at room temperature and whisking them thoroughly into the sugar mixture, which helps create a stable, smooth texture.
- Achieve perfectly clean cuts by chilling the bars completely in the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing, which helps the filling set and makes cutting easier and more precise.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 143 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg