When daydreaming about the perfect dessert, my mind (and taste buds) automatically drift to pecan pie bars. It’s an ideal fall handheld snack to enjoy with a warm cup of aromatic coffee or tea. I love baking a batch of this sweet snack and getting my friends together for an afternoon of catching up. Pecan pie bars are one of those guilty pleasures I rarely feel guilty over—I’ll easily reach for one or two (or three). They’re that good. And when they’re homemade, using the best ingredients, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe repeatedly. The pecan tree is native to Southern North America and can bear fruit (uh, nuts) for more than 300 years. It was not long until demand for pecan nuts grew, and by the 1870s, Texan cookbooks boasted recipes for this decadent pecan pie. Of course, pecan pie bars soon followed.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Pecan Pie Bars
Prep Baking Pan – Line the bottom of the baking pan with parchment paper with enough paper to come up the sides.Mix Shortcrust Pastry – Mix flour, sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla extract in a large bowl, then pat the pastry dough mixture onto the bottom of the baking pan.The Filling – Whisk eggs, brown sugar, flour, salt, vanilla extract, and corn syrup until all ingredients are combined, then fold in chopped pecans.Bake – Pour the mixture over the pastry crust and bake for 10 minutes.Add Decoration – Add more pecans to the top for decoration and bake for another 30-35 minutes.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can make this deliciousness three days ahead. They contain eggs, so keep them nicely wrapped in the fridge and take them out 30-40 minutes before to take the chill off.
Serving and Storage Instructions
It’s hard to wait for these guys, but they are best if they have time for the filling to set before serving, about an hour. You can use a freezer-safe sealable bag or an airtight container to store your pecan pie bars in the fridge for five days. And this homemade recipe will last frozen for up to three months. Before serving, allow it to thaw in the fridge and then place it on a counter until it reaches room temperature.
What to Serve With Pecan Pie Bars
These guys are a great afternoon snack with a chai tea or pumpkin spice latte. But they’re an even better finish to smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
More Decadent Bite-Size Treats to Try
Conclusion
Decadent pecan pie in a convenient bar is pure heaven. Who will you make this recipe for? Drop a line in the comments. 😍
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”Mwtmj2SD” upload-date=”2020-12-10T08:00:00.000Z” name=”Pecan Pie Bars” description=”Make way for these irresistibly tasty and hassle-free PECAN PIE BARS easily made with the simplest of ingredients. A delicious snack you can serve as a teatime dessert or simply as your everyday comfort food. An insanely maddening dessert you wouldn’t want to resist.” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was originally published in December 2020 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.