These Easy Pecan Pie Bars are a perfect make ahead holiday dessert to serve a crowd!
These Easy Pecan Pie Bars are a perfect make ahead holiday dessert to serve a crowd! The sweet, crunchy filling of a pecan pie tops the buttery shortbread crust for a simple, decadent treat that completes any celebration.
Y’all. If I had to pick ONE dessert to enjoy this season, these pecan pie bars would be THE ONE. I’m not exaggerating when I say that they are my absolute favorite. After all, they’re easier and more delicious than a classic pecan pie — thanks to that thick layer of shortbread crust on the bottom. The bars include every flavor and texture that you could want in a dessert — from sweet to salty, buttery to crunchy, and everything in between!
I don’t even remember where the recipe originated, since the Pecan Pie Bars have been on my holiday baking menu for as long as I can remember (at least 10-15 years)! They’re a convenient way to prepare a big batch of treats to share with friends, family, neighbors, and school teachers…and they’re freezer-friendly! So before the chaos of the season settles in, go ahead and prepare a pan, enjoy a few now, and freeze the rest for later. You’ll be glad to have that stash ready to go when you need it most!
How to Make Pecan Pie Bars:
One reason these bars are so great? They only require a handful of basic pantry staples. Let’s start with the shortbread crust!
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt.
The mixture should be light and fluffy!
Gradually add the flour into the mixture, and then spread the batter into the bottom of a large baking dish.
Bake the crust at 350 degrees F for about 18 minutes, or just until it starts to turn golden brown. Next, prepare the filling!
Whisk together melted butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
Add two eggs, and then pour the filling evenly over the warm shortbread crust.
The final ingredient? Two cups of chopped pecans! I buy a bag of already chopped pecans to save myself a step, but you can obviously chop your own pecans if you prefer.
Sprinkle the pecans over the filling,
and pop the bars back in the oven at 350 degrees F for 25-30 more minutes, or until the filling is just set.
How do you know when the Pecan Pie Bars are set?
The bars are done and the pecan pie filling is ready to come out of the oven at the first signs of solidity in the center of the bars. The center might jiggle a little bit, but it should not slosh around. How’s that for a scientific explanation?! 🙂
Do Pecan Pie Bars set as they cool?
Yes! The filling will still look a bit “soft” and slightly jiggly when you pull the bars out of the oven. As the pecan pie bars sit on a wire rack to cool, the filling will continue to cook and fully set. Allow the bars to cool, undisturbed, on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Do Pecan Pie Bars need to be refrigerated?
I like to make these bars at least 1 day in advance, so that I know they will be ready to slice and serve when I need them. They will keep (covered) at room temperature on the counter for a day or two — no refrigeration necessary. If you want them to stay fresh for a few more days, I recommend refrigerating the pecan pie bars.
How long do Pecan Pie Bars stay good in the refrigerator?
The bars will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze Pecan Pie Bars?
Yes! If you want to prepare the bars far in advance, I suggest freezing them. Wrapped tightly, they will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Tips and Recipe Variations:
- If you like pecan pie with chocolate chips, try sprinkling the top of the bars with chocolate chips at the same time that you add the pecans. You can also melt chocolate chips and drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars after they come out of the oven.
- Make sure that the bars are completely cool before slicing.
- Serve the pecan pie bars on their own as a casual finger-food dessert at your next holiday party.
- For a fancier, sit-down dessert, try topping the bars with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce or whipped cream. The combination can’t be beat!
Looking for other delicious holiday desserts? Try these favorites:
- Mom’s Easy Apple Pie
- 3-Ingredient Classic Scottish Shortbread Cookies
- Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
- No-Bake Haystack Cookies
- 4-Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
Easy Pecan Pie Bars
These Easy Pecan Pie Bars are a perfect make ahead holiday dessert to serve a crowd!
Ingredients
FOR THE SHORTBREAD CRUST:
- 4 sticks butter softened
- 1 c. confectioners’ sugar
- ½ t. salt
- 2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
FOR THE FILLING:
- 1 stick butter melted and cooled
- 2/3 c. light corn syrup
- 1 c. packed light brown sugar
- 4 t. vanilla
- 1 t. salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 c. chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
FOR THE CRUST:
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and salt until fluffy. Gradually beat in flour. Spread into a greased 13-in x 9-in baking pan. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove the hot crust from the oven and set aside.
FOR THE FILLING:
Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the eggs.
Spread the filling evenly over the warm crust and sprinkle with pecans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Recipe Notes
How do you know when the Pecan Pie Bars are set?
The bars are done and the pecan pie filling is ready to come out of the oven at the first signs of solidity in the center of the bars. The center might jiggle a little bit, but it should not slosh around. How's that for a scientific explanation?! 🙂
Do Pecan Pie Bars set as they cool?
Yes! The filling will still look a bit "soft" and slightly jiggly when you pull the bars out of the oven. As the pecan pie bars sit on a wire rack to cool, the filling will continue to cook and fully set. Allow the bars to cool, undisturbed, on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Do Pecan Pie Bars need to be refrigerated?
I like to make these bars at least 1 day in advance, so that I know they will be ready to slice and serve when I need them. They will keep (covered) at room temperature on the counter for a day or two -- no refrigeration necessary. If you want them to stay fresh for a few more days, I recommend refrigerating the pecan pie bars.
How long do Pecan Pie Bars stay good in the refrigerator?
The bars will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze Pecan Pie Bars?
Yes! If you want to prepare the bars far in advance, I suggest freezing them. Wrapped tightly, they will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Tips and Recipe Variations:
- If you like pecan pie with chocolate chips, try sprinkling the top of the bars with chocolate chips at the same time that you add the pecans. You can also melt chocolate chips and drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars after they come out of the oven.
- Make sure that the bars are completely cool before slicing.
- Serve the pecan pie bars on their own as a casual finger-food dessert at your next holiday party.
- For a fancier, sit-down dessert, try topping the bars with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce or whipped cream. The combination can't be beat!
This recipe was originally published in December, 2013. It was updated in November, 2018.
