Pecan Pie Bars
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy. With their buttery shortbread crust and rich caramel-pecan topping, these pecan pie bars are everything you love about pecan pie—only easier to make and perfect for sharing! If you’re a fan of my pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie and candied pecans, you’ll love these pecan pie bars. With a buttery shortbread crust and a rich caramel-pecan topping, they’re an indulgent treat that’s perfect for the holidays—whether you’re bringing them to a potluck or giving them as a hostess gift. Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make! “The showstopper at Thanksgiving this year.” What You’ll Need To Make Pecan Pie Bars All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the shortbread crust. Cornstarch: Blended with the flour, cornstarch gives the crust a crisper texture. Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the crust and helps achieve a shortbread-like consistency. Unsalted Butter: Creates a flaky crust and adds richness to the filling. Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens the filling with a deep, molasses-like flavor. When measuring brown sugar, always pack it tightly to eliminate air pockets. Honey: Adds sweetness and a touch of warmth to the filling. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the caramel with its aromatic richness. Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds creaminess and helps achieve the silky, smooth texture of the filling. Chopped Pecans: Provide crunch and a rich, nutty flavor. Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the shortbread crust. Cornstarch: Blended with the flour, cornstarch gives the crust a crisper texture. Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the crust and helps achieve a shortbread-like consistency. Unsalted Butter: Creates a flaky crust and adds richness to the filling. Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens the filling with a deep, molasses-like flavor. When measuring brown sugar, always pack it tightly to eliminate air pockets. Honey: Adds sweetness and a touch of warmth to the filling. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the caramel with its aromatic richness. Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds creaminess and helps achieve the silky, smooth texture of the filling. Chopped Pecans: Provide crunch and a rich, nutty flavor. Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements Step-By-Step Instructions Begin with the crust. Combine the flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Toss in the pieces of butter. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. Dump the mixture into a foil-lined pan. Then press firmly with your fingers into an even layer. Bake until set but not browned, about 17 minutes. In the meantime, make the topping. Combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt in a saucepan. Boil gently for a few minutes. Then stir in the heavy cream and chopped pecans. Spread the pecan mixture onto the baked crust. Bake until bubbling and caramel-colored. Cool completely, then transfer baked bar to cutting board. Cut into squares with a sharp knife. The bars will keep nicely, covered and stored at room temperature, for 3 to 4 days. Freeze for longer storage. You May Also Like RecipeComments (690)Add Comment Recipe Comments (690) Add Comment Ingredients For the Crust ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off ¼ cup cornstarch ½ cup Confectioners' sugar ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off ¼ cup cornstarch ½ cup Confectioners' sugar ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces For the Filling 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter ¾ cup packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Generous pinch salt 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 3 cups coarsely chopped pecans 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter ¾ cup packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Generous pinch salt 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 3 cups coarsely chopped pecans Instructions For the Crust Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Push foil neatly into corners and up sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure it overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from pan). Spray foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar and salt in a bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. It will seem dry; that's okay. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the refrigerator, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the crust until crust is set but not browned, about 17 minutes. Set on rack to cool. Leave oven on. Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Push foil neatly into corners and up sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure it overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from pan). Spray foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place the flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar and salt in a bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. It will seem dry; that's okay. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the refrigerator, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the crust until crust is set but not browned, about 17 minutes. Set on rack to cool. Leave oven on. For the Filling In a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and boil gently for 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans. In a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and boil gently for 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans. To Assemble and Bake Pour pecan mixture over crust (it's fine if the crust is still warm). Bake until filling is bubbling and caramel in color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on rack. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift baked square out of pan and onto cutting board. Loosen the foil from the edges, then cut with a sharp knife into 2-inch squares. Store finished pecan squares in air-tight container and serve at room temperature. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The pecan squares will keep nicely covered and stored at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap with the layers separated by wax or parchment paper. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. Pour pecan mixture over crust (it's fine if the crust is still warm). Bake until filling is bubbling and caramel in color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on rack. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift baked square out of pan and onto cutting board. Loosen the foil from the edges, then cut with a sharp knife into 2-inch squares. Store finished pecan squares in air-tight container and serve at room temperature. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The pecan squares will keep nicely covered and stored at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap with the layers separated by wax or parchment paper. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (16 servings) Calories: 357 Fat: 29 g Saturated fat: 11 g Carbohydrates: 26 g Sugar: 18 g Fiber: 2 g Protein: 3 g Sodium: 88 mg Cholesterol: 41 mg Per serving (16 servings) Calories: 357 Fat: 29 g Saturated fat: 11 g Carbohydrates: 26 g Sugar: 18 g Fiber: 2 g Protein: 3 g Sodium: 88 mg Cholesterol: 41 mg This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. See more recipes: Bars & BrowniesDessertFreezer-FriendlyHolidaysMake-AheadMost PopularAmerican Bars & Brownies Dessert Freezer-Friendly Holidays Make-Ahead Most Popular American