Recipe for Pecan Pie Bars (2024)

One bite of these Ultimate pecan pie bars, and you'll fall in love. The homemade pie crust perfectly balances tender, buttery, and flaky texture. Paired with a custard-like filling made of chopped pecans, brown sugar, honey, molasses, and vanilla, it’s a sweet treat that's hard to resist.

Pecan pie bars are a classic dessert that brings a touch of nostalgia to any gathering. These bars are a delicious reinterpretation of the classic pecan pie. They're just as delicious but far more practical.

What's best is that each component tastes incredible. The pie crust, crisp and buttery, sets the stage for the delicious filling. The combination of sweet and nutty flavors is nothing short of perfection. I recommend also checking out my pecan shortbread and Russian tea cakes! Trust me, you're going to love them all!

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Easy to make: This old fashioned pecan pie bars recipe is straightforward, requiring only basic baking skills and ingredients. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these delicious treats!
• Perfect for sharing: These easy pecan pie bars can be made in large quantities and are perfect for sharing. Whether you're hosting a party, bringing a dish to a potluck, or gifting to a friend, these bars are perfect!
• Absolutely Delicious: The combination of a flaky pie crust, a sweet and gooey filling, and crunchy toasted pecans makes these bars irresistibly delicious. One bite, and you'll understand why this is the ultimate pecan pie bars recipe!

🍊INGREDIENTS

More details about the ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below!

All-purpose Flour: This is the foundation of the pie crust, providing structure and texture. It is also used in the filling to thicken it slightly, guaranteeing a perfect consistency.

Sugar: A touch of sugar in the crust adds a hint of sweetness that nicely balances the savory butter.

Butter: The fat in this recipe gives the crust a beautiful buttery flavor and flaky texture while adding richness to the filling.

Chilled Water: It helps to bind the flour and butter together in the crust, creating a dough that's easy to work with.

Chopped Pecan: The star of the show, these provide a toasted crunchy texture and a rich, buttery flavor that's favored by many.

Eggs: These bind the filling ingredients together and create a custard-like texture when baked. Make sure they are at room temperature so they incorporate more easily.

Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the filling that compliments the nutty pecans.

Honey: A natural sweetener that not only tastes good but is good for you. It replaces corn syrup in traditional recipes, adding a floral sweetness to the filling.

Molasses: This brings a robust, earthy sweetness and a touch of bitterness that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.

Milk: It adds richness and creaminess to the filling, enhancing its custard-like texture.

🔪HOW TO MAKE ULTIMATE PECAN PIE BARS

Making honey pecan pie bars at home is incredibly easy. Let's look at home to make it step by step:

Preparing the Pie Crust

Step 1:

Combine ingredients in a bowl, excluding the water. You're looking for a texture similar to wet sand. Once achieved, add the chilled water and bring the dough together to form a ball. Flatten this into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least half an hour.

Step 2:

Roll out the dough on a flour-dusted surface until it is big enough to fit your baking pan. You can use a standard pie pan or a rectangular tart pan.

Step 3:

Transfer the dough to your baking pan. Fold the dough in half for easy transfer, then unfold it in the pan. Preheat your oven to a temperature of about 350F/180C and bake the pie crust for about eight minutes.

Step 4:

Prep for filling by removing the pie crust from the oven. If the crust has puffed up, gently tap it down with the back of a spatula.

Making the Pie Filling

Step 5:

Roast the pecans by preheating the oven to 350F/180C. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for about seven minutes. Set aside.

Step 6:

Prepare the filling by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour, sugar, honey, molasses, and salt. Stir until combined. Add the milk and keep stirring. Once the mixture boils, turn off the heat.

Step 7:

Mix in the eggs by gradually adding the hot mixture to beaten eggs while whisking continuously to avoid scrambling them.

Baking the Pie Bars

Step 8:

Assemble the pie by adding the chopped pecans to the pie crust, then pour in the filling mixture. Top with whole pecans for decoration, then bake for about forty-five minutes in a preheated oven at 350F/180C.

Enjoy your homemade pecan pie bars!

👩🏽‍🍳 PRO TIPS

Use Cold Butter: For the pie crust, make sure to use cold butter. This helps make sure that your crust will be flaky and delicious.

Chill Your Dough: After making your pie crust dough, refrigerate it for at least half an hour. This will make it easier to roll out and shape.

Toast Your Pecans: Toasting the pecans before using them in the filling enhances their flavor and gives your pie bars a delicious crunch.

Pre-Bake Your Crust: Pre-baking the pie crust before adding the filling helps prevent it from getting soggy.

Use Honey and Molasses: Instead of corn syrup, use honey and molasses in your filling. These natural sweeteners add depth of flavor and make for a healthier pie.

Let It Cool: After baking, let your pecan pie bars cool completely before cutting. This allows the filling to set and makes them easier to serve.

📋 VARIATIONS

Try it with Chocolate: If you're a chocolate lover, this variation is a must-try. Simply add a layer of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the crust before pouring the pecan filling. The chocolate will melt into a delicious layer that pairs perfectly with the sweet, nutty pecan filling.

Add Some Fruit: Love a good fruit and nut combination? Try adding a half cup of dried cranberries or chopped apples to the pecan filling. The tartness of the fruit provides a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the pie filling.

Switch up the Nuts: Not a fan of pecans? No problem! Try substituting the pecans with chopped walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorite nuts. This variation adds a unique twist to the classic pecan pie bars while keeping the texture and flavor interesting.

🍽️ HOW TO SERVE

• For a delicious breakfast, pair your pecan pie bars with a hot cup of coffee. The sweet, nutty flavors of the bar perfectly complement the bitterness of the coffee.
• Want a perfect dessert? Serve your pecan pie bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cool, creamy ice cream balances the rich, sweet and nutty bar, creating a heavenly combination.
• For a fabulous afternoon tea, serve these pecan pie bars with a pot of your favorite tea. The sweet, rich flavors of the bars pair wonderfully with a robust, full-bodied black tea or a smooth, calming chamomile tea.
• Pecan pie bars also make a fantastic take-along snack for a picnic or a hike. Just wrap them up and enjoy the burst of energy and flavors they provide during your outdoor adventures.
• For a late-night sweet craving, a pecan pie bar with a glass of milk can do wonders. The creamy milk cuts through the sweetness of the bar, making it a comforting treat.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

🌡️ STORING

Refrigerate: You can store leftover pecan pie bars in the fridge for up to one week. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and avoid absorbing other food odors.

Freeze: Due to the custard filling, pecan pie bars don't freeze well. The texture can become grainy, and the crust may become soggy once thawed.

Reheating Instructions: If you've stored your pecan pie bars in the refrigerator, you can reheat them in the oven at a low temperature to achieve that freshly baked texture and warmth.

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⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW

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