Easy Pecan Pie Bars are rich, buttery, and packed with crunchy pecans on a sweet caramel-like filling over a soft crust. An easy dessert for holidays, parties, or anytime you’re craving classic pecan pie flavor in bar form.
If you love classic Pecan Pie but want something easier to serve, pecan pie bars are the answer. These bars have all the gooey, nutty flavor of pecan pie layered over a buttery crust, but in a convenient grab-and-go form.
They’re great for holidays, bake sales, or when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert without the fuss of making a traditional pie. We also like to make Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars.
What's in this post: Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Why We Love This
- Easier than pie – No need to fuss with pie crust or pie plates. These bars are simple to make and bake in one pan.
- Portable and shareable – Cut into squares or rectangles, they’re easy to serve at parties, holidays, or potlucks.
- Buttery crust + gooey filling – The combination of the rich shortbread-style crust with the sweet, nutty pecan topping is irresistible.
- Make ahead friendly – These bars taste just as good the next day, making them perfect for prepping in advance. If you love pecans also try our Candied Pecans Stovetop Recipe.
Ingredients
Crust
- Butter – Use room temperature butter so it creams smoothly into the crust.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the pecan topping.
- All-Purpose Flour – The base of the crust that gives it structure and a tender, buttery texture.
Pecan Topping
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor.
- Corn Syrup (light or dark) – Helps create the gooey, caramel-like texture.
- Butter, melted – Brings richness and depth to the filling.
- Eggs – Bind the topping together for a firm but chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the warm, nutty flavor.
- Chopped Pecan Halves – The star of the topping, adding crunch and nuttiness in every bite.
Variations
- Use different nuts – Swap pecans for sliced almonds, walnuts, or a mix of nuts for a fun twist.
- Cheesecake bars – Add a sweet cream cheese layer under the pecan topping for a cheesecake-inspired version.
- Change the crust – Try a rich brownie base or a graham cracker crust instead of the shortbread for new flavors.
- Chocolate chip – Stir in a handful of chocolate chips to the filling for extra indulgence.
- Cool Whip topping – Serve with Cool Whip or Homemade Whipped Cream to balance the richness.
- Drizzle with caramel – Add a drizzle of Homemade Caramel Sauce over the bars for even more sweetness.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Step 2. Prepare the baking dish by lining with foil or parchment paper.
Step 3. Cream the butter and Sugar with a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Combine the melted butter and sugar until these ingredients are thoroughly combined. Next, add the flour.
Step 4. Press the mixture in the pan and bake the crust until golden brown.
Step 5. Combine the ingredients in a separate large bowl. Whisk together the topping ingredients except for the pecans until these ingredients are combined.
Step 6. Stir in the pecans.
Step 7. Pour this mixture over the crust once it’s finished baking. Bake until the filling is set.
Step 8. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting making sure the center is set. You can use a cutting board to cut the bars if you want to lift the bars out of the pan.
FAQs
Slice and keep in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days but ours are eaten much faster than that.
Yes, store any leftover pecan pie bars in the fridge in an airtight container. They will keep for about 4 days.
You most certainly can and we do this a lot. You can freeze the bars up to 6 months. This is perfect if you have an event coming up and need to get as much done as possible before hand.
Yes! We love to double the recipe so that we can have some to freeze. This is perfect for holiday baking and when you want to bake ahead of time.
Just put in a freezer bag and they will keep up to 5-6 months. I do recommend putting parchment paper in between the bars to prevent sticking.
Pro Tips
- Line the baking dish – Use parchment paper or foil to make cleanup easier and to lift the bars out of the pan with ease.
- Crush pecans easily – No food processor? Place pecans in a sealed plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin until they’re chopped.
- Measure corn syrup without the mess – Lightly spray your measuring cup with nonstick spray before adding corn syrup so it pours out cleanly.
- Buy nuts in bulk – Pecans can be pricey, so stock up when they’re on sale. Store them in the freezer to keep them fresh until you’re ready to bake.
More Pecan Dessert Recipes
- Caramel Pecan Praline Ice Cream Recipe
- Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
- Pecan Pie Cookies
Once you try this recipe, please let me know if you liked it by leaving a comment or star rating.
Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
- Crust Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup butter room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- Pecan Topping:
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup light or dark
- 2 Tablespoon Butter melted
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecan halves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9X13 baking pan with foil or parchment paper
- Using a stand up mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar until these ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Then mix in the flour until just combined.
- Press this flour mixture into the bottom of the 9X13 pan.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together to the topping ingredients except for the pecans until these ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Stir in the pecans.
- Pour this mixture over the crust once it’s finished baking. It’s ok to pour it on the hot crust.
- Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until the center of the bars are set.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.
You indicated that you can use a hand mixer? How can that be done without a paddle attachment? Thanks!
These can be made with a dough attachment for a hand-held mixer. Thank you!