Easier to make than pie, these pecan pie bars are made with a buttery shortbread crust, and sweet filling loaded with pecans. Cut into squares they are an easy handheld dessert perfect for the holidays!
These dessert bars are similar to a classic pecan pie and if you add some cocoa powder they are similar to my chocolate pecan pie recipe!
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Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
These pecan pie bars are one of my favorite holiday desserts! They’re buttery and caramelly and nutty, crispy and chewy. They’re like part pecan pie and part shortbread and I make them absolutely every year as part of our Thanksgiving menu.
Did I mention they’re pretty easy to make too? You make a quick food processor dough, press into a pan and bake, then top with a caramel and pecan topping that cooks on the stove in no time. Simple and perfect for the holidays!
Add them to your Christmas dinner along with my pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, M&M cookie bars or pumpkin pie bars and wow your guests with the amazing flavors and textures that these bars bring to the table!
Recipe Ingredients
With only a few simple ingredients, pantry staples and chopped pecans, you can make the best pecan pie bars recipe.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- All-purpose flour: This will help thicken the crust in the baking pan.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust.
- Cornstarch: Thickens and creates a crumbly texture when mixed together with all the dry ingredients.
- Kosher salt: Just a pinch!
- Unsalted butter: For the crust you will want cold butter and diced up in the food processor unless using a pastry cutter. In the pecan layer the butter will be melted.
- Brown sugar: Pack in your light brown sugar. This will crystalize and melt in the pecan filling layer.
- Light corn syrup: Will thicken and help set the pecans and sugar in place.
- Pecans: Chop your pecans using a food processor or a ziplock bag hitting it with a rolling pin.
- Heavy cream: Creates the sweet, thick, and creamy texture of the pecan filling.
- Vanilla extract: Alway enhances the flavor when baking!
How to Make Pecan Pie Bars
The only thing missing from this pecan pie bar recipe is the scoop of vanilla ice cream! Take these bars to your next get together. In four easy steps your will love how easy it is to layer together. These dessert bars are the best and easiest way to feed a crowd!
- Blend together. Using a food processor, blend together the dry ingredients, with butter. It will begin to clump together.
- Bake crust. Line a 9×13″ baking pan with nonstick foil, leaving about 1″ of overhang. Pour the coarse crumbs into the baking pan and press evenly. Bake until light golden, 25 minutes. Lower heat to 325ºF.
- Combine. Stir together the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Add pecans and cream and boil until it thickens slightly. Lastly, stir in the vanilla.
- Bake. Pour the pecan filling layer over the baked crust. Bake until caramel is darker and bubbles thickly, about 20 minutes.
Buttery Shortbread Crust
The shortbread crust is one of the main things that differentiates this recipe from the classic pie version that’s made with a homemade pie crust. Shortbread is made with more sugar than pie dough, resulting in a sweeter crust that’s more crumbly and tender. It tastes similar to a sugar cookie, but with a denser consistency.
Make Extra!
Double the crust and save half for later. Your future self with thank you. :) Simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Then once it’s thawed, use it to make apple pie bars, homemade Twix bars or my favorite lemon bars.
Baking Tips
These extra tips help make your pecan bars the amazingly delicious! You can’t go wrong when taking more steps to help create the best dessert. Here are a few tips to making your pecan bars the best!
- Bake crust first. You’ll need to pre-bake the shortbread crust before adding the filling, or else the crust won’t cook all the way. Press it into the pan and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Then pour the filling on top and continue baking as directed.
- Keep an eye on the caramel. Similar to when making homemade caramel on the stove, it’s important to keep an eye on the mixture so that it doesn’t burn. Once the sugar dissolves and the mixture is boiling, that’s when it’s ready to go. The caramel color will get even bolder as the bars bake in the oven.
- Let set. These bars will need to cool completely before slicing. The filling will continue to set as they cool. You can let them chill in the fridge to speed up the process if you prefer.
Variations
There are a few different ways to make these easy pecan pie bars your own. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the top or some cocoa powder to the filling.
For a nuttier variation, try 2 cups pecans and 2 cups walnuts for fun flavor and texture.
Recipe FAQs
Not at all! You can place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature.
The filling will be set but not hard. It will also be soft but not too jiggly. You can even use a thermometer to make sure it reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Usually this means the pecan bars are undercooked. You will want to make sure to continue to bake the bars until they are fully cooked.
Yes! The filling will be a little gooey but not runny. Continue to bake your pecan pie bars until it is slightly jiggly. You will also want to make sure not to burn the top of the pecans.
How to Store Pecan Pie Bars
Beware that your pecan pie bars may not last the whole time! If you are hoping for extra bars after your party, you may want to make a double batch. Storing and even freezing these pecan bars are a great way to make ahead or store for later.
- Storing: Cover the pan with a lid or transfer the sliced bars to an airtight container. The filling for the bars is a bit sticky, so it helps to add a sheet of wax paper in between each layer so they don’t stick together. They will keep at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days.
- Freezing: Once the bars have been cooled and sliced, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and flash freeze for about an hour. This helps harden them so that they don’t stick together. Then stack in a freezer container or bag and freeze for 3-6 months. Let thaw on the counter for a few hours before enjoying.
Need more pie recipes?! Try this easy banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, or razzleberry pie.
More Easy Holiday Desserts
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Pecan Pie Bars
Video
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter , cold and diced
Filling
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar , packed
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups coarsely chopped pecans
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9×13" baking pan with nonstick foil, leaving about 1″ of overhang. Blend the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a food processor. Add butter and process until mixture clumps together.
- Pour into the baking pan and press evenly. Bake until light golden, 25 minutes. Lower heat to 325ºF.
- Meanwhile stir brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Add pecans and cream and boil until it thickens slightly. Stir in vanilla and pour over the baked crust.
- Bake until caramel is darker and bubbles thickly, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. Use the foil to lift the cookies out and cut into squares.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe contributed by Jennifer from The Chronicles of Home.
Categorized as: American, Bars, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Pies + Tarts, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Good but not gooey, more solid!
Do these freeze well?
Yes, these freeze great :)
Are these easy to cut with the pecans or no? I want the pieces to look nice!
Yes! Very easily actually. We love how easy these bars are to cut and have at parties. Let the pecan pie bars setup and then cut them.
Amazing!
Now a new favorite!! I’m going to make these again for Christmas because everyone said it’s better than pecan pie!
These are a great single serving option! Glad you liked them :) Happy Thanksgiving.
These pecan pie bars are my family’s new favorite! They are so crispy and flavorful, perfect snacks for the kids. Love to have these on repeat.
These are definitely a fall favorite at our house. Thanks for sharing, Sharina! Happy Thanksgiving!
Whipped up a batch of these for an afternoon treat, and they do not disappoint! Excited to serve these again this week for Thanksgiving; my whole family loved them!
This sounds like a successful practice run, Sara. It never hurts to make these again :) Happy Thanksgiving!
What if I don’t have that mixer to do the crust? Is there another way?
You can cut the butter in with a pastry cutter or 2 forks :)
Still waiting for them to cool. I sneaked a bit out of the corner. Holy Moly delicious!
I had to add additional butter to get the crust to come together. Extra butter is never a bad thing!🤗
I agree! :) So glad to hear you love them, Carol!
I took these to a local benefit. They were a huge hit! I’ve been asked to take the recipe to our meeting on Monday. I did have to use additional butter to get the crust to clump before pressing in the pan.
Love to hear that! So glad the recipe was a hit :)
This was absolutely the most delicious dessert ever!!!
I think I’ll make them and drizzle chocolate on top. Numnum!
Yum, sounds delicious! Enjoy :)
The shortbread crust takes these bars over the top, the are amazing!!! Perfect for the holidays!
Oh wow, what a treat! Absolutely love these bars. I have a bag of pecans, I just bought them. I could make these bars tonight. Can’t wait :)
These bars look fantastic! I love pecans, I just want to dive into the screen and crab one!