Description
These Irresistible Pecan Pie Bars are a gooey and delicious treat that perfectly combine a buttery crust with a sweet, nutty filling. Made with a gluten-free option available, these bars offer the classic pecan pie flavor in a convenient, handheld form that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying as a dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup All-purpose flour (Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
Filling
- 1 cup Brown sugar (light brown)
- 1/2 cup Light Karo syrup (can substitute dark corn syrup)
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 cup Chopped pecans (optional: mix with walnuts for twist)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Make Crust: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the unsalted butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased pan and bake for about 15 minutes to set the crust.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium saucepan, bring brown sugar, Karo syrup, and butter to a boil to dissolve and meld flavors. Then, gradually add about a cup of this hot mixture into the beaten eggs while stirring continuously to temper the eggs and prevent scrambling.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Return the filling mixture to the saucepan and stir in chopped pecans and vanilla extract thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Bake Filling: Pour the prepared filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Bake the whole pan for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly bubbly on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan to firm up before cutting into 12 squares for serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for the crust.
- Light brown sugar is preferred for its mild flavor, but dark brown can be used for a richer taste.
- Be sure to stir the hot sugar mixture into the eggs slowly to avoid cooking the eggs too quickly.
- Cooling the bars completely is important for clean cuts and perfect bar texture.
- Optional: mix pecans with walnuts for a variation in flavor and texture.
