Welcome to the last Pecan Pie Bars recipe you’ll ever need. Imagine a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust topped with a rich, gooey, caramel-like filling that’s absolutely loaded with toasted pecans. It’s all the classic flavor of traditional pecan pie, but in an easy-to-make, easy-to-share bar form. These bars are a game-changer for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or simply when a sweet craving strikes.
We’ve tested every variable to ensure this recipe is truly no-fail. Forget runny fillings or soggy crusts. We’re giving you all the secrets to achieving that perfect texture contrast: a crisp, sturdy base holding a decadent, chewy, and deeply flavorful topping. Get ready to bake the best pecan pie bars of your life.
Why This Pecan Pie Bars Recipe is the Best
This isn’t just another dessert recipe; it’s a meticulously crafted guide to perfection. The buttery shortbread crust is sturdy enough to hold the luscious filling, yet tender enough to melt in your mouth. The filling itself strikes the perfect balance of sweet and nutty, with a deep caramel flavor from the brown sugar and a generous amount of crunchy pecans in every single bite. These Pecan Pie Bars are simply irresistible.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Pecan Pie Bars
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create these incredible dessert bars.
For the Buttery Shortbread Crust
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our sturdy yet tender crust.
- Cold Salted Butter: Using cold, cubed butter is crucial for creating a flaky, shortbread-like texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to complement the rich filling.
For the Gooey Pecan Filling
- Pecan Halves: The star of the show! Use good-quality pecans for the best flavor and crunch.
- Brown Sugar: Delivers a deep, molasses-like sweetness that is characteristic of pecan pie.
- Corn Syrup: The secret to a gooey filling that sets perfectly without becoming grainy or runny.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, giving the filling structure and richness.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors in the filling.
How to Make Pecan Pie Bars (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Pecan Pie Bars. We’ll guide you through making the crust and the filling for a perfect bake every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Crust
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Pecan Filling
While the crust bakes, you can prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined. Be careful not to overmix. Stir in the pecan halves, ensuring they are all evenly coated with the sweet mixture. This rich filling is the heart of our amazing Pecan Pie Bars.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pour the pecan filling evenly over the pre-baked shortbread crust. Spread it out gently to ensure the pecans form a beautiful, even layer on top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes. The center should be set, and the filling should be bubbly and golden. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. This is the hardest part, but patience is key for clean slices!
Pro Tips for No-Fail Pecan Pie Bars
Want to ensure your bars are absolutely perfect? Follow these expert tips.
- Use Cold Butter: For the flakiest crust, make sure your butter is cold, right from the fridge. This creates steam pockets as it bakes, resulting in a tender texture.
- Don’t Overbake: The filling will continue to set as it cools. Pull the bars from the oven when the center is just set (it should only have a slight jiggle).
- Cool Completely: We can’t stress this enough! For clean, sharp cuts, the bars must be completely cool. For best results, chill them in the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing. For another fantastic bar recipe, try these Churro Cheesecake Bars.
- Toast the Pecans: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, you can lightly toast the pecans in the oven for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the filling.
Storing Your Pecan Pie Bars
To keep your bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you refrigerate them, we recommend letting them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to enjoy the best flavor and texture. For more easy-to-make sweet treats, check out our Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pecan Pie Bars
Yes, you can substitute pure maple syrup for corn syrup in this recipe. It will give the bars a slightly different, but equally delicious, maple-infused flavor. The texture of the filling should remain very similar.
Yes, these bars freeze beautifully! Once they are completely cooled and cut, you can wrap them individually or place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. They will last for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Pecan pie bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, if you want them to last longer (up to a week), or if your kitchen is very warm, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator.
The key to clean cuts is to ensure the bars are thoroughly chilled. After they have cooled to room temperature, place them in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. Use a large, sharp knife, and wipe the blade clean with a damp paper towel between each cut.
Runny pecan pie bars are usually a sign of being underbaked. Make sure the center is set before removing the pan from the oven—it should only have a very slight jiggle. Also, letting the bars cool completely is essential for the filling to firm up properly.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this recipe, you’re sure to enjoy our other dessert creations. For a different take on a classic, try these incredible Brownie Bottom Cookie Dough Cheesecake bars. Or if you’re a fan of classic cookies, you can’t go wrong with our reader-favorite Matcha Cookies. And for a simple yet elegant treat, these Sugar Cookie Truffles are always a hit.
The Perfect Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Pecan Pie Bars: The Ultimate No-Fail Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. This will help you lift the bars out easily after baking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingers until it resembles coarse, damp sand.
- Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes until the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden brown.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the packed light brown sugar, light corn syrup, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and fully combined.
- Gently stir in the pecan halves until they are evenly coated with the filling mixture.
- Once the crust is pre-baked, remove it from the oven and pour the pecan filling evenly over the top. Spread gently to ensure an even layer. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.
- The Pecan Pie Bars are done when the center is set (it should not wobble excessively) and the top is a deep golden brown. The filling will puff up while baking and settle as it cools.
- Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This can take at least 2 hours. For best results and the cleanest cuts, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before slicing.
- Once cooled and chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 24 bars. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure you let the bars cool completely before cutting. This is the most important step for achieving clean, professional-looking squares.
Tip 3: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Pecan Pie Bars recipe! We know it will become a new favorite in your baking rotation. If you make these bars, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. Don’t forget to share a picture of your beautiful creation on Pinterest and tag us!
