Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie is one of my dad’s favorite desserts so I decided to make these for father’s day.  They were so delicious that I made them again the following week for a family reunion.  They are buttery, nutty, and will quickly disappear.

Servings Prep Time
2dozen 15minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2dozen 15minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2sticks unsalted butter, cold
  • 2cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2tsp. salt
  • 2cups whole pecans
  • 1stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3cup honey
  • 2tbsp. heavy cream
  • 1/2tsp. salt
  • 1tsp. pure vanilla extract
Crust:
Pie Filling:
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with parchment paper or foil leaving some excess hanging over the ends. This will make your life easier when removing the bars from the pan.
Crust:
  1. Cut the butter into a 1/2-inch dice. Then, in a food processor fitted with a metal blade, process all the ingredients for the crust together (including the diced butter) until the mixture begins to form small lumps; about 45 seconds.
  2. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and using your hands or a big spatula, evenly press the shortbread crust into the bottom of the pan. Bake in the middle of the oven until golden, about 18-20 minutes. While crust is baking, prepare the filling.
Pie Filling:
  1. Roughly chop the pecans either by hand or in the food processor (a couple pulses will do the trick). Set aside.
  2. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, honey, cream and salt. Bring to a simmer and allow to bubble, stirring occasionally, for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and pecans.
  3. Pour the pecan filling into the hot shortbread crust and spread as evenly as possible. Bake in the middle of the oven until bubbling evenly all over, about 12-15 minutes.
  4. Cool completely, lift out of the baking pan using the overhanging parchment or foil and cut into bars.

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