Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These pecan pie bars offer all the deliciousness of a traditional pecan pie, but with less effort. The refrigerated pie crust makes the base a breeze to prepare, and the filling is a smooth, sweet combination of brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla, topped with crunchy pecans. The result is a buttery, rich, and gooey dessert that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, these bars are the ideal lazy yet delicious dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the crust: Roll out the refrigerated pie crusts and press them into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick the crust a few times to prevent it from puffing up while baking.
- Bake the crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
- Add the pecans: Stir in the pecan halves, making sure they are evenly distributed in the filling mixture.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the pecan mixture over the pre-baked pie crust in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
- Bake the bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed. The edges should be golden and the center should be firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. For best results, chill them in the fridge for an hour before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 12-16 bars, depending on how large you cut them.
Total time: 50 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 30-35 minutes
Variations
- Add chocolate: For a chocolate twist, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the filling mixture.
- Use maple syrup: Swap the light corn syrup for maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
- Add a dash of spice: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for a warm, spiced version of pecan pie bars.
- Vegan option: Use a plant-based pie crust, vegan butter, and flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) in place of regular eggs to make these bars vegan-friendly.
Storage/Reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week for longer freshness. These bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or enjoy them chilled.
FAQs
Can I make these bars without a pre-baked crust?
Yes, the refrigerated pie crust needs to be partially baked before adding the filling to ensure it stays flaky and doesn’t get soggy. It’s a quick step that makes a big difference in texture.
Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Yes, you can substitute the pecans with walnuts or almonds if you prefer a different nut.
Can I use dark corn syrup instead of light corn syrup?
Yes, you can use dark corn syrup, but it will give the bars a slightly richer, deeper flavor.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The bars are done when the filling is set and slightly puffed, and the edges are golden brown. The center should be firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Can I double the recipe to make more bars?
Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a larger baking dish (like a 9×13-inch or 10×15-inch dish). Just make sure to adjust the baking time as needed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes for a thicker filling.
Can I use homemade pie crust instead of refrigerated pie crust?
Yes, you can use a homemade pie crust for a more from-scratch version. Just make sure to pre-bake the crust as directed before adding the filling.
Can I add a glaze on top of the bars?
Yes! A simple powdered sugar glaze (made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract) can be drizzled over the bars once they have cooled to add a little extra sweetness and visual appeal.
How can I make the bars more festive?
You can add a handful of chocolate chips, top them with whipped cream, or dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch, especially for the holidays.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Conclusion
Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect combination of indulgent sweetness, rich nuts, and a buttery, flaky crust. They’re incredibly easy to make, yet deliver all the deliciousness of a traditional pecan pie without the hassle. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, the holidays, or just craving something sweet, these bars are sure to be a hit. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, they’ll quickly become one of your go-to dessert recipes!
Print
Pecan Pie Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Ingredients
- 1 package (16 oz) refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the crust: Roll out the refrigerated pie crusts and press them into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick the crust a few times to prevent puffing up.
- Bake the crust: Place the crust in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until combined.
- Add the pecans: Stir in the pecan halves, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the pecan mixture over the baked crust and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the bars: Return to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the filling is set and slightly puffed, with golden edges.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. For the best texture, chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.
Notes
- Chocolate twist: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the filling for a decadent touch.
- Maple syrup option: Use maple syrup instead of corn syrup for a unique flavor.
- Vegan option: Use plant-based pie crust, vegan butter, and flax eggs to make these bars vegan-friendly.
- Festive touch: Top with whipped cream or powdered sugar to make them extra special for holidays.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
