Easy Pecan Pie Bars – Don’t LOSE this Recipe 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Pan:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

2. Make the Crust:

In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix with a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. You want the butter to be well incorporated but still in small pieces.

Press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, covering the bottom entirely. Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly. Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes until it’s lightly golden and set. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

3. Prepare the Filling:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined. Stir in the pecans, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

4. Assemble and Bake:

Pour the pecan filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed in the center. It should be golden and firm to the touch.

The bars will bubble slightly as they bake, so keep an eye on them toward the end. If the edges begin to brown too quickly, you can cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

5. Cool and Cut:

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important! The filling needs time to set properly. Once the bars are completely cooled, cut them into squares or rectangles (depending on your preference).

Why You’ll Love These Easy Pecan Pie Bars:

• Quick and Easy: Unlike traditional pecan pie, these bars don’t require any pie crust making or blind baking. Simply press the crust into the pan and bake. Then make the filling, pour it over, and bake again. It’s so much easier and faster!
• Portable and Shareable: Pecan pie can be a bit of a hassle to serve, but with these bars, you’ve got the perfect handheld treat. They’re easy to slice and serve, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
• Perfectly Sweet and Nutty: The caramelized sweetness from the corn syrup, richness from the brown sugar and butter, and the crunch of the pecans all come together in every bite. It’s a balanced dessert that’s indulgent but not overly heavy.
• A Crowd Favorite: Pecan pie fans will love these bars just as much—if not more! The combination of buttery crust and gooey pecan filling is a flavor combination that always impresses.

Tips for Success:

• Use Fresh Pecans: For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality pecans. Toasting them lightly in a pan before adding them to the filling can enhance their flavor, but it’s optional.
• Don’t Overbake: The filling will continue to firm up as the bars cool, so be careful not to overbake them. When testing, make sure the center is set, but it should still have a slight jiggle.
• Chill Before Cutting: If you want perfectly neat slices, refrigerate the bars for an hour or so after they’ve cooled to room temperature. This helps them set further and makes them easier to cut cleanly.
• Double the Recipe: If you’re serving a crowd, or just want to have leftovers (which we highly recommend), you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking times as needed.

Why You Can’t Lose This Recipe:

• Reliably Delicious: With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, this recipe is one of those reliable go-to desserts that always works. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, you can trust this one to turn out perfectly every time.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily prepare these bars ahead of time and store them for a couple of days. In fact, they taste even better after they’ve had some time to sit and let the flavors meld together.
• Versatile for Occasions: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, a family gathering, or just a random Wednesday, these bars are versatile enough to be served on any occasion. They’re a great choice for holidays, but they’re also an everyday treat when you need something sweet to satisfy your cravings.

Variations to Try:

• Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars: Add some chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) to the pecan filling for a rich and indulgent twist on these bars.
• Maple Pecan Bars: Swap out the corn syrup for maple syrup for a more maple-forward flavor. The maple will complement the pecans beautifully.
• Bourbon Pecan Bars: For an adult-only version, add a tablespoon of bourbon to the filling for a rich, warming flavor that pairs perfectly with the pecans.
• Coconut Pecan Bars: Stir in some shredded coconut for an extra texture and tropical flair.

What to Serve with Pecan Pie Bars:

• Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream will add a cool, creamy element that balances out the sweetness of the bars.
• Coffee or Hot Cocoa: These bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a cozy mug of hot cocoa, making them the perfect dessert for chilly evenings.
• Milk: For a classic pairing, a cold glass of milk is always a great match with pecan pie bars.

Final Thoughts:

These Easy Pecan Pie Bars are sure to become a staple in your dessert repertoire. With their rich, gooey filling, buttery crust, and nutty pecans, they offer all the goodness of a traditional pecan pie but in a much simpler, more shareable form. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just a casual treat, these bars are guaranteed to impress.

So, don’t lose this recipe! Once you try it, you’ll be making these bars over and over again. Keep them in your baking rotation—they’re too good to forget!