Pecan Pie Bars EASY RECIPE

Pecan Pie Bars – Make way for this irresistibly tasty and hassle-free treat with simple ingredients. A delicious snack you can serve as a special teatime dessert or everyday comfort food. An insanely delicious recipe you won’t want to resist.

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. 

What’s the Story Behind Pecan Pie Bars?

Whether you call it pe-KAHN or PEE-can pie, there is one thing we can all agree on—pecan pie is one of the South’s most cherished desserts with a cultural history as rich as its syrup. Pecan pie bars are everything we love about pecan pie in a bite-sized package.

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

1. The Crust – Butter and all-purpose flour create a deliciously buttery and crumbly crust. You can also cut a premade pie crust like in the photo.
2. Sweeteners – The sugar adds sweetness to the corn syrup’s unbeatable texture for a sweet, ooey-gooey filling that won’t crystalize.
3. Vanilla Extract – This superior flavor enhancer adds a creamy flavor to the pie filling. Homemade vanilla extract is super easy and much cheaper than store-bought.
4. Pecans – And, of course, the star ingredient, these nutritious nuts are what it’s all about. 

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

1. Decadent Additions – Add a tablespoon or two of whiskey or bourbon is scrumptious, while grated coconut and chocolate give it a fantastic twist.
2. Nut Swap – Walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, etc., all make an excellent pie. You can replace them with equal amounts (or mix and match).

Tips and Tricks

1. Checking the measurements and ratio of each ingredient ensures the bars have the right texture.
2. If you’d like to intensify the pecans’ flavor, toast them before adding them to the filling.
3. Gently mix the filling ingredients without overbeating to avoid a foamy filling.

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. 

FAQs

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

1. Congo Bars
2. Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
3. Crunchies
4. Pecan Sandies
5. Southern Tea Cakes

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

This blog post was originally published in December 2020 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.