Pecan Pie Bars

Delicious Pecan Pie Bars combine the flavors of pecan pie with a buttery shortbread base! The rich flavors of maple syrup, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in the chewy pecan filling perfectly complement the nutty flavor of this easy dessert.

An image of pecan pie bars stacked in a tower.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Pecan Pie Bar Recipe
What You’ll Need
How to Make Pecan Pie Bars
Recipe FAQ’s
Tips for Success
Keep an Eye on the Oven
Substitutions and Variations
More of My Best Pecan Recipes
Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Unlike a traditional pecan pie, these Pecan Pie Bars don’t require the finesse of perfecting a pie crust. Instead, these pecan squares have all the wonderful flavors of classic pecan pie contained in a hassle-free buttery shortbread crust.

These nutty Pecan Pie Bars with their buttery crust will be perfect as a sweet snack to take to a bake sale, as a potluck dessert, or even as a delightful alternative to making Christmas cookies for a cookie exchange!

If you’re a fan of pecan pie like I am then check out my Classic Southern Pecan Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie, Pecan Pie Brownies, and Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars!

Why We Love This Pecan Pie Bar Recipe

The best pecan pie bars look and taste like they came from a professional bakery but they’re made with minimal effort thanks to simple ingredients and an easy recipe.
Dessert bars are a crowd-pleaser and the ideal size for serving at gatherings, making them a practical and delicious choice for any occasion.
These pecan bars will stay fresh and delicious for days which makes them a great recipe for making ahead of time, reducing the stress when planning for events or holidays.

An overhead image of pecan pie bars cut into squares and scattered about haphazardly.

Pecan pie bars sliced into squares with a metal cooling rack in front of them.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Salted Butter – Adds a rich, buttery flavor to both the filling and the crust.
Light Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to both the crust and filling.
All-Purpose Flour – The base of the crust, gives it structure and a tender texture.
Salt – Enhances the flavors of the crust and filling.
Pure Maple Syrup – Provides natural sweetness and a unique flavor to the filling.
Heavy Cream – Adds creaminess and richness to the filling.
Pure Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
Eggs – Bind the filling together and provide structure.
Pecans – The key ingredient that provides that signature nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Flaky Sea Salt (Optional) – Sprinkling on top of the bars can enhance the flavor and add a gourmet touch.

How to Make Pecan Pie Bars

Prepare equipment and chop pecans. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 13-inch pan or baking dish with a parchment paper sling or use an aluminum foil-lined pan sprayed with baking spray. Chop the pecans with a sharp knife and set aside.
Make crust dough. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric mixer until creamy and light, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, then add the flour and salt, mixing on low or medium speed until just combined. The pie dough will be like coarse crumbs.

Creamed butter and brown sugar in a glass mixing bowl.

Adding flour to make the shortbread base for pecan pie bars.

Bake crust. Press crust mixture into an even layer in the prepared pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake crust for 10 minutes until it is a very light golden brown color. Remove the par-baked crust from the oven while you finish the filling.

Pressing shortbread crust into a rectangular baking pan.

Make pecan filling. Whisk the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and eggs in a large bowl until combined. Add the chopped pecans and stir until everything is mixed together.

Melted butter, maple syrup, eggs, and brown sugar in a bowl.

Adding chopped pecans to pecan pie filling in a bowl.

Pour filling into crust. Pour the pecan filling over the shortbread crust, using a spatula to make sure the filling is in an even layer and the pecans are evenly distributed. Place some additional pecan halves on the top if you desire.

Adding pecan pie filling to a shortbread base.

Bake and cool. Bake for 20–25 minutes and remove once the edges are set but the middle is still slightly jiggly. The bars will continue to set up as they cool.
Slice and serve. Cool completely before cutting into squares, and serve immediately.

An overhead image of baked pecan pie bars in a pan.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I make Pecan Pie Bars nut-free?

Skip the pecans by using crushed pretzels for a nut-free version. This will change the flavor profile, but it’s a delicious version that is great if you have someone with a nut-allergy in your life and you still want a similar crunchy treat.

Can I use a different type of syrup instead of maple syrup?

Yes, you can use honey, agave syrup, or even light corn syrup as a substitute for maple syrup. Each will give a slightly different flavor to the bars, some stronger than others.

Can I make Pecan Pie Bars dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter for a plant-based variety and use full-fat coconut milk as a substitute for the heavy cream.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Make Pecan Pie Bars gluten-free by simply substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is meant for baking, and make sure it’s a blend that’s made for a 1:1 substitution.

How do I store Pecan Pie Bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap on the counter for up to 4 days or in the fridge for 1 week.

Can I freeze Pecan Pie Bars?

Freeze in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Let the bars come to room temperature before serving by thawing on the counter or overnight in the fridge.

Tips for Success

The higher the quality of ingredients that you use, the better the flavor you’ll achieve, especially when it comes to key ingredients like butter, fresh pecans, and pure maple syrup.
Inconsistent measurements can affect the texture and flavor of the bars, so make sure you use measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, especially for ingredients like flour and sugar.
Par-baking is a crucial step to achieve a firm and crisp crust, so make sure that the crust is lightly golden before adding the filling.
Spread the filling so that it distributes evenly over the crust to ensure each bar has a good ratio of crust to filling.
Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking the bars a few minutes before the suggested baking time. Overbaking can lead to dry bars, so watch for that slight jiggle!
Allowing the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting will reward you with neatly cut bars and the perfect texture. For the sharpest cuts, you can refrigerate the bars before cutting them.
Using a sharp knife to cut the bars and cleaning the knife between the cuts will give you neater and more professional-looking squares.

Keep an Eye on the Oven

Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking the bars a few minutes before the suggested baking time.

Look for the edges to be set while the center is still a tiny bit wobbly.

Overbaking can lead to dry bars, so watch for that slight jiggle!

A pecan pie bar with a bite taken out of it.

Substitutions and Variations

Unsalted butter with a pinch of salt can be used as a substitute for salted butter.
You can use an equal amount of corn syrup, light corn syrup, dark corn syrup, agave syrup, or honey instead of maple syrup. The honey flavor is much stronger so you might consider using half honey and half maple syrup or corn syrup.
Make some chocolate pecan pie bars by sprinkling 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips over the shortbread crust just before adding the pecan pie filling.
Feel free to tweak the recipe to your taste – you can add a little bit of spice like cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling, or top your bars with chocolate chips or caramel drizzle for something extra!