These Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect hand-held twist on the classic Southern dessert! They have all the gooey, nutty magic of pecan pie with none of the hassle. They’re equal parts indulgent and effortless, making them perfect for wowing a crowd or treating yourself on a cozy afternoon. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever survived the holidays without a batch of these beauties.
In This Post
What if you could take all the rich, buttery goodness of pecan pie and turn it into an easy, hand-held treat perfect for sharing? Well…you can.
Growing up in the South, pecan pie was a staple on every holiday. But when I wanted something easier to share at my own family gatherings, these pecan pie bars were born. They’re just as indulgent as the pie I remember but perfect for parties—or sneaking a piece with coffee.
Why We Love These Pecan Pie Bars
- Classic Southern Flavor: Think rich, buttery pecan pie with a modern, portable twist.
- Approachable Ingredients: Everything on this list is pantry-friendly or easy to find at your local grocery store.
- One-Pan Wonder: Less mess, less fuss, and no need to roll out pie dough!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a church potluck, or a Tuesday, these bars are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Four Steps For Perfect Pecan Pie Bars
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt, then cut in the butter using two forks or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing down firmly to form a crust. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Keep the oven on for the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Bake: As soon as the crust is baking, pour the pecan filling over it, spreading it evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the filling is set and slightly golden.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, slice them into bars.
How Do I Know When My Pecan Pie Bars Are Done Baking?
When you remove the cookies from the oven, the filling should be set around the edges but slightly jiggle in the center. It will firm up as it cools. Overbaking can dry the filling, so keep a close eye on it during the last few minutes.
Pecan Pie Bar Ingredients
Recipe Swaps And Variations
- Add Chocolate: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the filling for a chocolatey twist.
- Bourbon Pecan Bars: Add 1 tablespoon of bourbon to the filling for a deeper flavor. This one is similar to my Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie.
- Coconut Pecan Bars: Stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut with the pecans for a hint of tropical flavor.
- Maple Syrup Option: Swap out half of the corn syrup with maple syrup for a rich, warm sweetness.
How Long Do Pecan Pie Bars Stay Good?
Pecan pie bars will keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Dark corn syrup will add a deeper caramel flavor to the filling. You can use it as a one-to-one substitute.
The filling should be set and slightly puffed when done, but it will settle as it cools. Be careful not to overbake, as the filling can dry out.
Yes, just swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking.
How to Serve Pecan Pie Bars
These bars are delicious on their own, but you can also dress them up by:
- Serving with a dollop of Super Simple Whipped Cream
- Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side
- Drizzling melted chocolate or caramel sauce on top
Or, you can serve them with Easy Homemade Caramel Corn, Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy, and Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers for a full dessert spread!
More Decadent Pecan Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Pecan Pie Bars Chicken Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter or margarine
- 1 ½ cups light corn syrup
- ¾ cups brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine melted
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch jellyroll pan.
- Combine flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in 1 cup of butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the prepared pan and press firmly to make a crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans; spread the filling evenly over the baked crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Bake for about 25 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars.
Notes
-
- Add Chocolate: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the filling for a chocolatey twist.
-
- Bourbon Pecan Bars: Add 1 tablespoon of bourbon to the filling for a deeper flavor. This one is similar to my Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie.
-
- Coconut Pecan Bars: Stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut with the pecans for a hint of tropical flavor.
-
- Maple Syrup Option: Swap out half of the corn syrup with maple syrup for a rich, warm sweetness.
Nutrition
Indulge: Southern Dessert Classics!
FREE EMAIL Bonus
Most-popular traditional southern sweets
creed mullins
My wife and I are super excited to make this for our families thanksgiving potluck!
Great! Enjoy the recipe and Happy Thanksgiving.
~Donya
Thanks for the great rating!