Pecan Pie Bars for the Holidays
There is something about pecan pie that always reminds us of family gatherings, warm kitchens, and the kind of baking that fills the whole house with sweetness. Growing up, pecan pie showed up at nearly every holiday table. Then life got busy. We came up with a simpler way to make pecan bars. These give you everything you love about pecan pie but in a more convenient, sliceable bar that works for parties, treats for neighbors, or just an delicious at-home dessert. Every time we make them, they disappear fast!
Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
These bars are the perfect blend of buttery crust and sweet, nutty filling. The layers bake together into a tender base topped with gooey pecan richness that tastes like a traditional pie without any of the fuss.
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Easy to make – The crust is a simple shortbread-style mixture that presses right into the pan.
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Perfect texture combination – A slightly crisp bottom paired with a soft, sweet filling keeps each bite interesting.
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Ideal for holidays or everyday baking – They travel well, store beautifully, and cut cleanly once cooled.
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Great for sharing – Bars make serving simple and portion-friendly.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
The foundation of this dessert is the shortbread crust. It creates the perfect base for the pecan topping. Made with flour, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt, it bakes into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth layer that holds its shape without crumbling.
The filling is inspired by traditional pecan pie. Eggs help the mixture set into that familiar soft, custard-like texture. Granulated sugar adds sweetness, and corn syrup gives the filling its signature glossy, chewy consistency. A touch of melted butter brings richness, and vanilla softens the sweetness while adding warmth. The pecans themselves offer that unforgettable nutty crunch. Chopping them helps distribute them evenly across the top. Each bite gets a little bit of everything.
Step-by-Step Cooking Tips
One of the reasons we make these bars so often is because they come together quickly. Start with the crust. Mixing the ingredients is simple, and pressing the dough evenly into the baking pan helps the bars bake uniformly. You will partially bake the crust before adding the filling. This step ensures the base stays firm enough to hold the soft pecan filling without absorbing too much moisture.
While the crust is baking, whisk together the filling ingredients. The mixture should be smooth and glossy. Make sure the pecans are fully coated. When the crust comes out of the oven, pour the filling on top while it is still warm. The warmth helps the filling spread easily and create an even layer.
The bars bake until the filling no longer jiggles in the center. Once cooled, the top becomes shiny and crisp, while the inside stays soft and rich. Letting the bars cool completely is one of the most important steps because it allows the filling to set and makes slicing much easier. A long, sharp knife works best, especially if you want clean square edges.
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan – used to bake the shortbread crust and pecan filling
- Mixing Bowl – to mix the crust and filling
- Wooden Spoon – to stir the thick pecan mixture
Other Recipes to Try
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Banana Cream Pie – A silky, creamy banana dessert with a light and airy filling.
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Blueberry Cobbler – Juicy, bubbling blueberries topped with a tender biscuit-like crust.
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Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Moist, spiced cake paired with rich cream cheese frosting.
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Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites – A low-carb treat with creamy pumpkin filling and warming spices.
Pecan Pie Bars are the kind of dessert that make any day feel special. They are simple enough for everyday baking but festive enough to bring to holiday gatherings. The combination of buttery crust and rich pecan topping never gets old. Plus, the bars cut beautifully once cooled.
Bake a batch, slice them up, and enjoy every sweet, nutty bite. And as always, we love hearing when you try one of our recipes, so let us know how they turned out for you.
Pecan Pie Bars
Notes
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze sliced bars for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Cutting Tip: Wait until fully cooled to get clean, neat slices.
- Pecan Texture: Combining chopped and whole pecans adds extra crunch and visual appeal.
