Buttery Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust Recipe

Sweet, buttery, and irresistibly rich, these pecan pie bars with shortbread crust deliver a mouthwatering twist on the classic Southern dessert.

The crisp, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base provides the perfect foundation for a decadent pecan filling that’s both gooey and crunchy.

Layers of caramel-like sweetness mingle with toasted pecans, creating a dessert that sings with indulgence.

Each bar promises a delightful balance of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe transforms a traditional pie into convenient, shareable squares that are perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or a quiet afternoon treat.

Weekend bakers and dessert lovers will find these bars surprisingly simple to make yet impressively delicious.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including chilling)

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base with a delicate, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown, crisp crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the shortbread.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers and adds rich, creamy flavor to the crust.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warmth and depth to the shortbread's delicate flavor profile.

• Pecans: Bring nutty crunch and robust flavor, selecting fresh, plump nuts for maximum taste.
• Whipping Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture in the caramel-like filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps develop a smooth, glossy topping.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, caramel-like sweetness with a hint of molasses.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures a gooey, consistent filling that doesn't crystallize.
• Maple Syrup: Introduces a complex, woodsy sweetness that complements the pecans.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with its warm, aromatic essence.

Tools to Make Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust

• Food Processor: Essential for creating the perfect shortbread crust by mixing and blending ingredients quickly and evenly.
• 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Key for shaping and baking the pecan pie bars with the right dimensions.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal of bars and preventing sticking to the pan.
• Medium Saucepan: Needed to prepare the pecan pie topping mixture over heat.
• Sharp Knife: Important for cleanly slicing the cooled bars into perfect portions.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Vital for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading the pecan mixture evenly and scraping mixtures.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pecan Pie Bars

• Buttery Base Preparation

Create a crumbly shortbread foundation using flour, sugar, and chilled butter. Mix ingredients in a food processor until they form a delicate, sandy texture. Press the mixture evenly into a parchment-lined baking pan.

• Golden Crust Development

Bake the shortbread until it develops a light golden color around the edges. The surface should look slightly set and have a delicate sheen.

• Luscious Pecan Topping

Combine pecans, cream, butter, and sweet syrups in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until it transforms into a glossy, bubbling caramel-like sauce that coats the nuts beautifully.

• Layering and Baking

Pour the warm pecan mixture over the partially baked shortbread base. Spread the topping evenly, ensuring complete coverage. Return to the oven for a final baking session to marry the flavors.

• Cooling and Setting

Allow the bars to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate to help the layers set firmly. This resting period helps develop rich, deep flavors and creates clean, crisp cutting lines.

• Serving and Storage

Slice the bars using a knife warmed under hot water for smooth, precise cuts. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for extended enjoyment.

Flavor Enhancements for Pecan Pie Bars

• Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or a mixed nut blend for a unique twist on the classic recipe.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate or add a sprinkle of sea salt to balance the rich caramel-like filling and create complex flavor profiles.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-safe treats.
• Incorporate ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the shortbread crust to add warmth and depth to the overall dessert experience.
• Cut bars into smaller bite-sized squares for elegant party desserts or larger triangles for more indulgent servings, making them perfect for various occasions.

Serving Pecan Pie Bars Nicely

• Dessert Platter Paradise: Arrange these pecan pie bars alongside other classic treats like chocolate brownies and mini cheesecake bites for a stunning homemade dessert spread that will wow your guests.
• Festive Holiday Companion: Serve these bars during thanksgiving or christmas gatherings as a delightful alternative to traditional whole pecan pie, making them perfect for buffet-style entertaining with easy portion control.
• Coffee and Tea Pairing: Complement the rich, sweet flavor of these bars with a steaming cup of dark roast coffee or a smooth chai tea, allowing the warmth of the beverage to enhance the nutty caramel notes of the dessert.
• Ice Cream Sidekick: Top a warm pecan pie bar with a scoop of vanilla bean or butter pecan ice cream, creating a decadent contrast between the crisp shortbread crust and the creamy, cold topping.

Best Ways to Store Pecan Pie Bars

• Sweet Slice Strategy: Cut bars into uniform squares for neat presentation and easy serving. Smaller pieces mean more folks can enjoy this delectable treat.
• Chill Zone Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 5 days. Layer bars between wax paper sheets to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Keeps perfectly for 3-4 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Room Temperature Tips: Allow frozen bars to thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Brings back the original soft, gooey texture and enhances pecan flavor profile.

Gooey Pecan Pie Bars

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including chilling)
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade pecan pie bars with shortbread crust blend Southern comfort and sweet indulgence. Nutty pecans nestled in caramel-like filling atop a buttery crust will delight you with classic dessert charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (280 g) pecans halves or pieces
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) flour
• 1 stick (113 g/4 oz) salted butter
• 1 stick (113 g/4 oz) cold butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• ⅓ cup corn syrup
• 2 tbsps whipping cream
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in middle, warm to 350°F and line 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete surface coverage.
2. Shortbread Crust Creation: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in food processor. Gradually add cold butter pieces, mixing until crumbly. Integrate vanilla extract with brief pulsing, then press mixture evenly across pan surface.
3. Initial Baking: Bake shortbread crust 15-17 minutes until delicately golden-brown, maintaining consistent oven temperature.
4. Pecan Topping Development: In medium saucepan, combine pecans, whipping cream, butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Heat over medium flame, stirring periodically until mixture gently bubbles.
5. Layering and Final Baking: Pour hot pecan mixture over warm shortbread base, spreading uniformly. Return to oven and bake additional 15 minutes to meld flavors and set topping.
6. Cooling and Setting: Rest bars at room temperature for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for 1 hour to completely cool and solidify.
7. Serving Preparation: Remove from refrigerator, lift bars using parchment edges. Slice into precise squares using water-warmed knife, ensuring clean cuts.
8. Storage: Store in airtight container within refrigerator or freeze up to 4 months for extended preservation.

Notes

• Precise Parchment Placement: Line the pan meticulously, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking and easy bar removal.
• Butter Blending Technique: Use cold butter and pulse gradually in the food processor to achieve a perfect crumbly texture without overworking the dough.
• Topping Temperature Trick: Keep the shortbread base warm when adding the pecan mixture to help create a seamless integration and even distribution.
• Cutting Cleanliness: Warm your knife under hot water before slicing to create clean, crisp edges without crumbling the delicate shortbread crust.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg