Here’s a delightful recipe for Pecan Pie Bars—a delicious and easier-to-make alternative to traditional pecan pie, with a buttery crust and a rich, gooey pecan filling.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
For the Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Bake the Crust:
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Pecan Filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the pecan halves.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the pecan filling over the partially baked crust, spreading it evenly.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown. The filling should be slightly jiggly in the center but will firm up as it cools.
- Cool and Slice:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.
Enjoy these rich and sweet pecan pie bars as a perfect treat for any occasion!
