If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a classic pecan pie into a dessert you can eat with your hands, you’re going to fall head-over-heels for the Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe. These irresistible bars take everything you love about the holiday favorite—think buttery crust, gooey caramelized filling, and toasted pecans—and make it unbelievably easy to slice, serve, and share. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few simple steps, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing treat that delivers an impressive ratio of flavor, texture, and pure Southern-inspired nostalgia in every bite!

Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This might just be the best part: the ingredients for these bars are delightfully straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect layers, gooey center, and irresistible pecan crunch. Gather everything you need and get ready for the aroma of homemade goodness to fill your kitchen!

All-purpose flour: The essential base for a tender, sturdy crust, and a touch in the filling to keep the bars set and sliceable.
Granulated sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps the crust achieve that lovely golden hue.
Unsalted butter (cold, cubed): Cold butter is the secret to a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth crust that holds up under the gooey filling.
Salt: Enhances flavors and keeps the sweetness beautifully balanced throughout the crust and filling.
Large eggs: Eggs provide structure, setting the luscious pecan filling into the perfect just-firm-enough consistency.
Light corn syrup: Creates that classic glossy finish and sticky-caramel texture you expect in any proper pecan pie bar.
Packed light brown sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-rich sweetness that pairs perfectly with toasty pecans.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon adds warmth, depth, and that signature old-fashioned bakery flavor.
Unsalted butter (melted): Blends seamlessly into the filling for extra richness and a satiny result.
Chopped pecans: The star of the show—use fresh and try to toast them for even more addictive nutty flavor!

How to Make Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and leave some overhang on the sides—this makes it super easy to lift out and slice the bars later. A little prepping now saves lots of cleanup and ensures nothing sticks.

Step 2: Make and Bake the Crust

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt for your crust. Grab your cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to work it into the mixture until it forms coarse crumbs—think pea-sized bits. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the lined pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. This step creates a solid, buttery foundation for your bars!

Step 3: Whip Up the Filling

While the crust is baking, combine the eggs, light corn syrup, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, salt, and melted butter in a large bowl. Whisk everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy. Stir in your chopped pecans, making sure they’re nicely coated. This filling is packed with classic pecan pie flavor and comes together quickly—no special equipment needed.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Once the crust comes out of the oven, immediately pour that gorgeous pecan filling over the hot base. Spreading it over the warm crust helps the filling seep just slightly into the base, creating that magical blend of crunchy and gooey layers. Put the pan back in the oven and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes. You’re looking for the top to be set and beautifully golden, just like the center of a classic pecan pie.

Step 5: Cool, Chill, and Slice

This is the hardest part: let your bars cool completely in the pan. Then, pop the whole pan into the fridge for at least an hour—chilled bars are so much easier to slice cleanly. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out, then slice them into neat bars or squares. Admire those perfect layers before digging in!

How to Serve Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the bars for a snowy finish or add a tiny swirl of whipped cream right before serving. If you’re feeling decadent, a drizzle of dark chocolate or a pinch of flaky sea salt will really wow your guests and compliment the rich pecan flavor!

Side Dishes

Pair a bar with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream to echo the classic pie experience. Fresh berries or a cup of hot coffee also make fabulous company for these sweet bites. They’re delicious enough to shine solo, but a little extra treat on the side never hurts!

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the bars into bite-sized squares for a party platter, or wrap individual pieces in parchment and twine for a rustic dessert favor. You can even stack them in glass jars or gift boxes for thoughtful homemade presents—these bars travel well and make everyone feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, making them perfect for snacking or dessert all week long. Chilling also makes them even easier to slice without crumbling!

Freezing

If you want to stash away some treats for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Just wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to indulge.

Reheating

A quick zap in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) will soften the bars and gently warm the pecan filling. If you prefer a slightly crisped crust and warm center, heat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Either way, they’re irresistible!

FAQs

Can I use dark corn syrup instead of light?

Absolutely! Dark corn syrup will give the bars a deeper, more robust flavor and a slightly darker look. Feel free to use whichever you prefer or have on hand—they’ll both yield a delicious result.

Do I need to toast the pecans?

Toasting isn’t required, but it really does bring out their rich, buttery flavor. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for about 7-10 minutes before adding them to your filling for an extra nutty punch.

Can these be made gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend. Make sure it’s a 1:1 baking blend that includes xanthan gum for the best texture in both the crust and filling.

Will the bars be too sweet?

The Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe balances sweetness with the salt and buttery crust, but if you prefer a less sweet treat, try reducing the brown sugar in the filling by 1/4 cup or using bittersweet chocolate chips as an extra topping to temper the sweetness.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Definitely! These bars are in their prime when made a day ahead. The flavors meld and the bars slice beautifully after chilling, making them ideal for potlucks, gatherings, and holiday celebrations.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited about this Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe as I am—I truly believe it’s the tastiest way to enjoy pecan pie year-round, without the fuss. Give it a try, share with friends or family, and don’t be surprised when you start fielding requests for this recipe at every get-together!

Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of these Best Pecan Pie Bars, a delightful twist on the classic pecan pie. With a buttery crust and a gooey, nutty filling, these bars are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into cubes)
¼ tsp salt

For the filling:

3 large eggs
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
2 cups chopped pecans

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang.
Make the crust: Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Press firmly into pan.
Bake the crust: Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden.
Prepare the filling: Whisk eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, salt, and melted butter. Stir in pecans.
Assemble and bake: Pour filling over warm crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes until set. Cool, then refrigerate.