Pecan Pie Bars – Experience the taste of our Pecan Pie Bars—a delightful twist, on the timeless pecan pie. This recipe takes all the flavors of a pecan pie and transforms them into convenient and scrumptious bars that are suitable for any occasion. Prepare to indulge in the combination of a buttery crust and a lusciously gooey pecan filling. The key ingredients for this mouthwatering dessert include all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, honey, and of course chopped pecans. Make sure you have your baking pan and food processor ready because we’re about to embark on a journey, with these tempting Pecan Pie Bars.
On a chilly Sunday afternoon, I decided to try my hand at making these Pecan Pie Bars. I was longing for something sweet yet unique. The concept of turning a classic pecan pie into bars caught my interest. As I mixed the ingredients together and filled my kitchen with their enticing aroma I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The outcome? Absolute perfection! The bars turned out to be a hit; my husband couldn’t stop complimenting their flavor while my child was overjoyed with this sweet and nutty treat. It became a baking adventure that introduced us to a family favorite.
What makes these Pecan Pie Bars truly special?
What makes these Pecan Pie Bars special is their texture and delicious taste. The crust, which is buttery and flavorful creates a foundation that perfectly complements the gooey and nutty filling. They are incredibly convenient to serve and enjoy compared to a traditional pie making them an excellent option, for gatherings and celebrations. Additionally, they are remarkably simple to prepare, guaranteeing a successful dessert, on every occasion.
What You Need To Make This Pecan Pie Bars Recipe?
Flour: All-purpose flour is the cornerstone of our crust providing the stability and structure necessary to support the decadent pecan filling. Its versatility makes it a must-have ingredient, for any baker’s pantry.
Powdered Sugar: Unlike granulated sugar, powdered sugar lends a tender and melt-in-your-mouth quality to the crust. Its fine texture seamlessly blends with butter resulting in a sweet crust.
Fine Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt in both the crust and filling works wonders. It enhances all flavors creating a balance between sweetness and savory notes.
Unsalted Butter: The key to a buttery taste and flaky texture in the crust lies in using diced butter. This allows for an even distribution, throughout the flour guaranteeing a perfect crust every time.
Brown Sugar: This isn’t just any sugar—it’s packed with molasses which imparts a caramel-like sweetness that defines the filling. It beautifully complements the pecans offering a depth of flavor that’s truly indulgent.
Honey: Smooth and velvety honey not only adds sweetness to the filling. Also provides a luxurious sticky texture that holds all those delightful pecans together. Its natural sweetness adds a satisfying touch.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Adding some whipping cream to the filling gives it an indulgent texture complementing the sweetness of the honey and brown sugar.
Vanilla Extract: For a touch, a splash of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of these bars. It’s an addition that leaves a lasting impression, on your taste buds.
Coarsely Chopped Pecans: To bring in a nutty, crunch coarsely chop some pecans. This ensures that every bite is packed with their texture and flavor making them an absolute star, in this recipe.
Steps To Make Pecan Pie Bars:
To Make the Crust:
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to a temperature of 350˚F. Take out a 9×13 baking pan and line it with either foil or parchment paper making sure to leave some hanging, over the edges for easy removal later. Give the pan a spray with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
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Step 2: Next, get your food processor ready. Add the flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt into the processor. Give it a few pulses to mix everything together. Then add in the butter and continue pulsing until you have a mixture that resembles a coarse meal, with some pea-sized pieces of butter scattered throughout.
Step 3: Transfer this mixture to your pan and press it down firmly to create an even layer. Place it in the oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. You want the crust to set and the edges to turn a brown color. Once done remove it from the oven. Let it sit while you prepare your filling.
Making the Pecan Pie Bars:
Step 4: In a saucepan combine sugar, honey, butter, cream, and a touch of salt. First, bring everything to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Remove it from the heat. Mix in the vanilla and pecans until they are perfectly combined.
Step 5: Next, pour this mixture over your crust. Place it back in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. You want to see a bubbling top with a caramel color.
Step 6: Out of the oven allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled use the overhangs of foil or parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Transfer them onto a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares. Enjoy these treats, at room temperature as you savor their blissful perfection.
Tip:
To enhance the taste of your Pecan Pie Bars you can try giving your chopped pecans a toast before adding them to the filling. Just spread them out on a baking sheet. Put them in an oven at 350°F for around 5 to 7 minutes. Keep an eye on them until they become fragrant and slightly darker, in color. Remember to give them a stir halfway through to ensure they toast evenly.
Toasting the pecans brings out their flavor. Adds an extra layer of crispness, which creates a delightful contrast with the gooey filling. This simple additional step requires the tiniest effort. Leads to a significant improvement, in the final taste and texture of your Pecan Pie Bars. Moreover, the wonderful aroma of toasted pecans will fill your kitchen bringing an added touch of warmth and coziness to your baking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Sure using salted butter instead of unsalted is an option. However, to maintain a flavor it’s advisable to skip adding any salt to the recipe.
Can I make these bars in advance?
Absolutely! These bars can be prepared in advance. In fact, they tend to taste better the next day as the flavors have time to blend together. Just make sure you store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
What’s the best way to store leftover Pecan Pie Bars?
To store leftover Pecan Pie Bars it’s best to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for, up to 5 days. If you need to stack them place parchment paper between the layers to avoid sticking.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter cold, diced
For the Filling:
- 3/4 c light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 c honey
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 c heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 c coarsely chopped pecans 14 ounces
Instructions
To make the crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Give it a spray, with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a food processor combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pulse the ingredients until mixed.
- Add in butter that has been diced into small pieces (12 tablespoons). Pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Evenly press this mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Until you notice slight browning at the edges. Once done remove from the oven. Set aside.
Now let's move on to making the filling:
- In a saucepan over medium heat combine packed light brown sugar (3/4 cup), honey (1/2 cup), unsalted butter (12 tablespoons), heavy whipping cream (1/4 cup) and fine sea salt (1/4 teaspoon).
- Bring this mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) along, with chopped pecans (3 1/2 cups). Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Pour this mixture over your crust in the baking pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until you see the filling bubbling and turning into a caramel color.
- After cooking place the pan on a wire rack. Allow it to cool down entirely.
To serve:
- Once it has cooled down utilize the foil or parchment paper to lift the baked treat out of the pan.
- Transfer it onto a cutting board. Slice, into 2-inch squares.
- Enjoy your Pecan Pie Bars at room temperature!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
