Pecan Pie Bars

These Southern Pecan Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust and rich, gooey pecan pie filling. They’re an easy, handheld dessert perfect for holidays, tailgating, picnics and parties.

Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

It’s no secret pecans are loved in the South. Walnuts rank just as high with peanuts and cashews holding their own. Pistachios and macadamia nuts aren’t bad either, and you’ll see any of the aforementioned in cookies, pies, cakes and muffins, but I digress. The truth is, we love all nuts, but pecans have become somewhat synonymous with Southern desserts. Around thanksgiving, there’s an uptick in people making and serving pecan pie but it’s not just limited to the holidays.

These Pecan Pie Bars are right at home at tea parties, tailgates, potlucks, and we especially love them packed up for a summer picnic. Southern pecan pie comes in many forms, with every cook putting their own spin on this classic, and I’m no different. This version is my idea of pecan pie at its best, made with brown sugar in the filling for a hint of caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery shortbread crust. No matter how you serve it, pecan pie in any form is always a keeper.

Key ingredients to make the Southern Living Pecan Bars: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Shortbread Crust – All purpose flour, powdered sugar, salt and cold butter form the buttery crust.
• Nuts – Crunchy pecans give these bars their signature flavor and crunch.
• Corn Syrup – Light corn syrup forms the base of the gooey filling.
• Whole Eggs – Eggs bind the pie filling and stabilize it for slicing.
• Sugar – Both granulated sugar and light brown sugar for sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Butter – One cup butter for a rich flavor.
• Flavoring – Two teaspoons vanilla extract adds sweet floral notes.

How to Make the Best Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

This sort of recipe turns pie into a handheld dessert that can be served for any occasion when pie is on the dessert menu. You can also cut these pecan pie bars into smaller portions or squares to turn them into two-bite petit fours.

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven and spray a rimmed jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Sift Dry Ingredients – In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, powdered sugar and salt.
• Cut Butter into the Flour Mixture – Use a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. (You can also do this using a food processor in short bursts. )
• Press Mixture into the Pan – Press crust mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake crust per the recipe.
• Make the Pecan Pie Filling – Using an electric mixer beat the eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir in pecans.
• Pour Pecan Mixture into the Crust – Spread filling evenly over crust. Bake per the cook time in the recipe until the center is set.
• Cool the Pecan Bars – Cool Pecan Pie Bars completely on a wire rack, then slice into squares and enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

• You will need a jelly roll pan to make these bars. It’s vital that the pan have a rim to hold all of the gooey contents inside and a sheet pan won’t work.
• Large bowl and medium bowl.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Pastry cutter to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients (or use two knives).
• Balloon whisk to sift the dry ingredients.
• Hand mixer to make the pie filling.
• Rubber spatula or a large spoon to spread the filling evenly over the buttery shortbread crust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is My Pecan Pie Runny? If the filling is runny, it could be two things. Either the filling wasn’t properly combined or it’s underbaked. It’s important to bake these pecan pie bars until the edges are golden and the center shows very slight movement when the pan is gently shaken. If you under bake them, the centers could be runny and they won’t cut into clean squares.

What’s the Difference Between Light Corn Syrup and High Fructose Corn Syrup? If you’ve wondered about the difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup you can read more about the differences in corn syrup  on the FDA website.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Nut Substitutions – You can make these bars using chopped walnuts or almonds.
• Corn Syrup – You can use dark corn syrup in place of light corn syrup or replace 1/2 cup of the light corn syrup with maple syrup. Dark corn syrup will give more molasses flavor.
• Honey – I don’t recommend making these pecan pie bars with honey in place of corn syrup. While honey is certainly delicious, it has a strong flavor that would overtake the pecan pie filling.
• Chocolate Variations – You could mix mini chocolate chips into the pecan filling for chocolate pecan pie bars twist.
• Cinnamon – You could also add one or two teaspoons of ground cinnamon to the filling.
• Salt – You can sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt after baking.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar is a must in my pecan pie recipe. It changes the texture and flavor of the filling, in a most delicious way and gives it more of a caramel flavor. If you like traditional pecan pie, use all granulated sugar, instead.
• How to Serve Pecan Pie Bars – You can serve these bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or at room temperature.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – You can store these Pecan Pie Bars in an airtight container or covered with aluminum foil at room temperature, or chilled in the refrigerator, for up to one week.
• Freezer – You can freeze these pecan bars for up to 2 months. When stacking, separate layers with wax paper or parchment paper. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy!

More Southern Style Pecan Desserts to Make

I have a plethora of desserts and sweets here on the website using pecans. If you’re looking for more sweets to make you may like these recipes, too.

• Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is rich and decadent just as the name suggests.
• Saltine Toffee with Pecans and Toffee Bits is a vintage holiday goodie to make.
• This Pecan Pie Cheesecake is a fusion of two dessert favorites.
• Praline Pecan Bars are chewy and rich.
• You’d pay a mint for this bakery style Pecan Pie Cheesecake.
• Easy Caramel Pecan Sticky Rolls requires no bread making at all.
• Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies are a two bite delight.
• Make these Praline Pecan Clusters in the microwave!

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Stand Mixer
• Cooling Racks
• Measuring Set
• Jelly Roll Pan