Perfect Pecan Bars

Nutriscore Rating: 41/100

Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with these Perfect Pecan Bars, a heavenly combination of buttery shortbread crust and rich, caramelized pecan topping. This easy dessert takes just 20 minutes to prep and features a luscious filling made with maple syrup, brown sugar, and chopped pecans for a decadent nutty flavor. The crisp, golden crust is the perfect foundation for the gooey, toffee-like layer that bakes to perfection in under an hour. Whether you're planning a holiday gathering or craving a cozy fall dessert, these pecan bars are a surefire crowd-pleaser. Cut into 16 squares, they're ideal for sharing—or savoring all to yourself! Serve them chilled or at room temperature for a versatile treat that's as satisfying as it is simple to make.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Servings: 16 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

9 items

• 227 grams unsalted butter
• 50 grams granulated sugar
• 250 grams all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 150 grams light brown sugar
• 120 milliliters maple syrup
• 80 milliliters heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 200 grams pecans, roughly chopped

📝 Instructions

13 steps

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream 113 grams of softened butter (half of the total butter listed) with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms.

4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Prick it all over with a fork to prevent air bubbles.

5. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until just lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

6. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 113 grams of butter over medium heat.

7. Add the light brown sugar, maple syrup, and heavy cream, stirring until combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.

9. Pour the pecan topping evenly over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out with a spatula to ensure even coverage.

10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and bubbling slightly at the edges.

11. Remove from the oven and allow the pecan bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. For best results, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up before cutting.

12. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Slice into 16 squares with a sharp knife.

13. Serve and enjoy! Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (67.8g)

Calories		338
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		22.3 g	29%
	Saturated Fat	9.1 g	45%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		36 mg	12%
Sodium		66 mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate		33.3 g	12%
	Dietary Fiber	1.6 g	6%
	Total Sugars	19.7 g
Protein		2.9 g	6%
Vitamin D		0.2 mcg	1%
Calcium		18 mg	1%
Iron		0.9 mg	5%
Potassium		82 mg	2%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3214 cal (58.1%%)

Protein: 188 cal (3.4%%)

Carbs: 2128 cal (38.5%%)