This Pecan Pie Bars recipe is easy to make and, believe it or not, BETTER than pecan pie! The bars are rich, silky, and the shortbread crust is the stuff your buttery dreams are made of!

This Pecan Pie Bars recipe costs about $10.44 to make and makes 16 servings. That is just $0.66 per serving. Make these bars the next time you have a craving for Pecan Pie or a holiday party. 

For more recipes using pecans, I recommend my Butter Pecan Fudge, my Pumpkin Pecan Pie Monkey Bread, and my Thanksgiving Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette (you know, to balance things out).  

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Better than pecan pie bars? Yup, these bars are better than pecan pie. Why? Because they’re simple to make, are made with a rich, buttery shortbread as their crust, and they’re a smaller portion than pecan pie.

That way, you can sample other desserts at your holiday feast without going into a sugar coma. 🙂 See, I’ve got your back.

These Pecan Pie Bars are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or plain (that’s how I prefer them!).

The filling of these pecan bars is a dream made of ooey, gooey pecan goodness. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

Reader Comment:

Veena says, “This Pecan Pie Dessert is so delicious. The crust is awesome and the filling definitely mouth melting and nutty.

Ingredients and Cost

Per Serving Cost: $0.66

Recipe Cost: $10.44

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.38
  • ⅔ cup powdered sugar – $0.20
  • 1 cup and 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $2.08
  • 3 large eggs – $0.30
  • ½ cup granulated sugar – $0.12
  • 1 cup light corn syrup – $1.36
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – $0.31
  • ¼ teaspoon salt – $0.01
  • 2 cups pecans – $5.68

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. 

All of the ingredients needed to make this pecan pie bars recipe.

Instructions

STEPS ONE AND TWO: Mix the flour and powdered sugar. Then, using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Knead the dough until smooth before patting the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Prick the dough with a fork 25-30 times. Next, bake for 15-20 minutes.

The baked shortbread crust in a pan before the pecan pie filling is poured in.

STEPS THREE AND FOUR: Mix the eggs and sugar for 1-2 minutes. Then, add the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt, and beat until combined. Next, fold the pecans into the butter and corn syrup mixture.

Pecans being poured into the filling.

STEPS FIVE AND SIX: Next, pour the filling over the crust and bake until the topping is golden brown and bake for 25-35 minutes. Finally, let it cool and then cut into 16 bars.

A spatula listing up a pecan pie bar.

***For complete instructions, check out the recipe card below. Also, watch the complete recipe video on the recipe card!

Recipe Variations

  • Sometimes I like to 1 cup of add dark chocolate chunks or chocolate chips to the pecan filling.
  • You can serve the pecan pie bars with ice cream (flavor of your choice), chipped cream, or salted caramel sauce.

Storage and Serving Tips

SERVE AND STORE: Serve them at room temperature. Store covered at room temperature for 3-4 days.

MAKE AHEAD: These pecan pie squares can be made up to 3 days in advance. First, be sure to store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Then, bring them to room temperature before serving.

FREEZE: You can freeze the pecan pie bars by placing them in a freezer-safe container. Put pieces of wax paper or parchment paper between the layers of bars to prevent them from sticking together. Freeze for 3 months.

THAW: Place the bars on a serving platter and thaw at room temperature for 4-6 hours. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe FAQs

Do pecan pie bars need to be refrigerated?

You can leave the pecan pie bars out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After this time frame, you need to place them in the fridge. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

What does a pecan pie taste like?

Pecan pie has a sweet and gooey, similar to caramel, flavor. The crust gives a buttery taste, while the pecans add a salty flavor to contrast the sweet. All the best flavors come together in these bars.

How do you cut pecan pie bars?

It’s all about the knife! First, use a serrated knife to cut the bars into squares. A serrated knife can cut through the pecans and into the filling and crust a lot better than any other type of knife.

How bad is pecan pie for you?

Pecans are full of healthy nutrients, so Pecan Pie Bas must be healthy, right? That is what I tell myself when I go for my second piece! In all seriousness, this dessert is not healthy. It is full of sugar and fat, so all things in moderation!

How do you keep a pecan pie from being runny?

If you are experiencing a runny filling, try adding in a few more pecans. Doing this can help absorb some of that extra liquid.

Cook’s Tools:

  • mixing bowls
  • pastry cutter
  • flour sifter
  • rubber scraper
Holding up a Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust.

More delicious holiday desserts:

A close up of 3 pecan pie bars on top of each other.
4.62 from 31 votes

Pecan Pie Bars

Recipe Cost $ $10.44
Serving Cost $ $0.66
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
16 people
These Pecan Pie Bars are so easy to make and BETTER than pecan pie! The shortbread crust is the stuff your buttery dreams are made of!

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • pastry cutter
  • rubber scraper
  • flour sifter

Ingredients
 
 

SHORTBREAD CRUST:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into 16 pieces

PECAN PIE FILLING:

  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecans roughly chopped

Instructions

MAKE SHORTBREAD CRUST:

  • Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Spray the foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl sift together the flour and powdered sugar. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. While still in the bowl, knead the dough until smooth, about 10 times. Pat the dough evenly into your prepared baking pan and prick with a fork 25-30 times.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until light brown in color. Move to a wire rack.

MAKE PECAN PIE FILLING:

  • While the shortbread crust is baking prepare the filling. In a medium bowl add the eggs and sugar and beat until combined, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt and beat until combined, about 1 minute.
  • Fold the pecans into the butter and corn syrup mixture.

FINISH:

  • Pour the filling over the crust and bake until the topping is golden brown and set about 25-35 minutes.
  • Let cool for at least 2 hours and then cut into 16 squares. Serve.

Video

Notes

These bars are very rich, so that’s why I suggest cutting them into 16 squares. These smaller squares are perfect for Thanksgiving when folks want to try multiple desserts. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.2mg

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Pecan Pie Bars Thanksgiving Dessert on a white serving platter.

These Pecan Pie Bars first appeared on FFF on November 27, 2013. I’ve updated the pictures in this post. 

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Recipe Rating




30 Comments

  1. Kenneth Goh says:

    How I wish have pecan here. We have but it cost us a bomb.one of my favorite nuts. Pinned in my group’s board. Have a nice day

  2. craftdictator says:

    Pecan Pie is one of my favorites so I’m going to have to try these! Pinned! Coming over from DBB!

  3. Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes says:

    These sound AMAZING!! I absolutely love pecan pie, but can only eat it in small doses, so these would be perfect!

  4. DesignedByBH says:

    These look delicious! And I love the fact that they aren’t actually pie…pinning!
    Thanks for sharing today on the Daily Blog Boost!
    – Brooke –

  5. These sound lovely, thank you for sharing with us.

  6. christina p says:

    I’m looking forward to making this for next thanksgiving!

  7. YUM! My favorite treat ever!

  8. Valentina says:

    Well I’m definitely going to have so delicious buttery dreams tonight! Seriously, these look AMAZING! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

  9. These bars are a great alternative to the classical pecan pie. I love how simple and easy these sound and you’re right about portion siz, especially for kids!

  10. Brian Jones says:

    They look fantastic, such great flavours, can’t wait to give them a try.

  11. Renee Goerger says:

    This is my favorite dessert! My whole family loves them!!

  12. Nellie Tracy says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE these! Absolutely delicious

  13. Veena Azmanov says:

    This Pecan Pie Dessert is so delicious. The crust is awesome and the filling definitely mouth melting and nutty.

  14. I love anything with pecans and these look amazing.

  15. Jessica Formicola says:

    I made these over the weekend and they were incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

  16. These look so amazing. My husband’s all-time favorite dessert is pecan pie, so I know he would LOVE these!

  17. I really love that you made these into bars! And that they can be frozen! Perfect!

  18. Can this recipe be doubled to make a cookie sheet size batch? Want to take them to a party so need a larger amount.

  19. Those look absolutely delicious! I made those 40 years ago in my bakery in New Mexico. And I sold them for $0.50 a square. I’d like to see them made in a keto recipe!

  20. As much as I love pecan pie, these shortbread bars were even better!! The rich buttery crust is the perfect pairing for the sweet pecan filling. Repeat recipe for sure!

    1. Maryanne, you made my night! So glad you loved the recipe! 🙂