Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars are a simple dessert that has stood the test of time. With a buttery cookie crust and chocolate topping, you’ll never need to make pecan pie again.

While my mother-in-law was visiting she shared her recipe for Pecan Pie Bars which I’ve never had before but sounded fabulous. Think of pecan pie with a pecan shortbread crust topped, then pecan pie filling that is covered with a thin layer of chocolate, and that’s what you get with Pecan Pie Bars.  She would make them for family car trips. It’s like eating pecan pie without needing a fork. Of course they are “to-die for”.

I made these for Taylor’s birthday. This is my non-cake eating daughter.  She has never liked cake so I’ve always done something different for her birthdays, like apple blondies or brownies She loves pecan pie, so I think this will be a nice treat for her.

How do you MAKE pecan pie bars

Not only do these taste wonderful but they are not difficult to make, just a couple of steps.

Step 1:  Start with a basic cookie recipe and add finely chopped pecans to the batter and pat it into the bottom of a baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 2: While the crust is baking, prepare a classic pecan pie filling of corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and pecans. Pour over the crust and bake an additional 30 minutes. 

Step 3: As soon as you take this from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. They will melt pretty quickly and  you can spread them over the top for a smooth finish. An offset spatula works great for this. 

Step 4: Let the chocolate set, but cut them before you refrigerate them.  Once the chocolate gets hard from the refrigerator, it’s much more difficult to cut without the chocolate cracking. They still taste great, but you might get some cracks in the chocolate!

Enjoy this throwback recipe and let me know if you have an old fashioned recipe that has stood the test of time.

More PECAN desserts

• Chocolate pecan slab pie for when you need to feed a crowd
• Chocolate chip tarts with pecans, great for parties
• Peach crumble with a pecan sandy topping
• Chocolate caramel bark topped with pecans

Pecan Pie Bars

Author: Barbara Curry

Pecan Pie Bars are a simple dessert that has stood the test of time. With a buttery cookie crust and chocolate topping, you'll never need to make pecan pie again.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

PREP: 20 minutes

COOK: 50 minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

COOKIE

• ▢ 1 cup butter softened
• ▢ ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 2 ¼ cups flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 cup finely chopped pecans toasted

PECAN FILLING

• ▢ ⅔ cup light corn syrup
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 ½ cups pecans roughly chopped and toasted
• ▢ 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350º. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan.

Cookie:

• Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined. On low speed, gradually add the flour and pecans and salt. Mix until combined.
• Transfer to the prepared pan and press into an even layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes until edges are slightly browned.

Filling:

• While the cookies are baking, combine corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir in the pecans.
• When the cookie layer is done, remove from the oven and pour topping over the cookie layer. Return to the oven and bake for 35 minutes, until the top is set and slightly browned.
• Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then using an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate over the topping. Cool completely before cutting.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!