Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars (Easy & Crowd-Friendly!)

When it comes to holiday baking or easy desserts that impress a crowd, Pecan Pie Bars are an unbeatable choice. Imagine all the rich, buttery, caramelized goodness of a traditional Southern pecan pie — but in a handheld, bite-sized bar form that’s easy to serve, store, and share.

These Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars are everything you love about the classic Thanksgiving pie: a buttery shortbread crust, a gooey brown sugar filling, and a generous layer of toasted pecans baked to perfection. They’re foolproof, freezer-friendly, and perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or festive gatherings.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to making these irresistible bars that will have everyone begging for the recipe!

🥧 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easier than pie: No rolling pins or pie crust drama — just press, pour, and bake!
• Rich and gooey filling: Sweet, nutty, and buttery with that signature caramel flavor.
• Perfect for sharing: Easy to cut and serve, ideal for parties or gifting.
• Make-ahead friendly: Keeps beautifully for several days or can be frozen for later.
• Crowd-pleasing classic: Everyone loves a pecan dessert, especially during the holidays.

This is the dessert that disappears first on any dessert table — trust us, one batch won’t be enough!

🍯 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars:

For the Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped pecans (plus extra halves for topping, optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
2. Make the Crust:
   In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in softened butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake the Crust:
   Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool slightly while preparing the filling.
4. Prepare the Filling:
   In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.
5. Assemble and Bake:
   Pour the filling over the partially baked crust, spreading evenly. Top with extra pecan halves if desired for a decorative finish.
6. Bake Until Set:
   Return to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the filling is set and the top is a rich golden brown.
7. Cool and Cut:
   Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using parchment overhang. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve!

Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars (Easy & Crowd-Friendly!)

All the sweet, buttery flavor of pecan pie in easy-to-serve bars. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or gifting!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 270

Ingredients

  

Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 0.25 tsp salt

Filling

• 3 eggs large
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecans chopped

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Whisk
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter until crumbly. Press into the pan to form the crust.
3. Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden, then set aside.
4. In a bowl, whisk eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Stir in chopped pecans and pour over baked crust.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the filling is set and golden.
7. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

For neat cuts, chill bars before slicing. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Pecan Pie Bars

• Don’t overbake: The filling should still have a slight jiggle in the center when removed — it will firm up as it cools.
• Use room temperature eggs: They blend more smoothly into the filling.
• Add texture: Mix in a combination of chopped and whole pecans for a more beautiful top layer.
• Grease generously: Even with parchment paper, a quick butter or nonstick spray layer helps bars release easily.
• Chill before slicing: For perfectly neat squares, chill the baked bars for 30 minutes before cutting.

🍁 Flavor Variations

You can easily give your Pecan Pie Bars a creative twist with these fun ideas:

• Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted dark chocolate on top once cooled.
• Bourbon Pecan Bars: Stir 1 tablespoon bourbon into the filling for an adult twist.
• Maple Pecan Bars: Replace corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a deeper flavor.
• Salted Caramel: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the bars right before serving.
• Coconut Pecan Bars: Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the filling for texture and sweetness.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve these Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars as:

• A sweet treat for Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert tables
• Portable desserts for potlucks, bake sales, or picnics
• An indulgent pairing with coffee or tea during the afternoon
• A festive gift box addition with brownies and cookies

They also make a great dessert for brunches or post-dinner coffee — the buttery crust and nutty filling balance rich flavors perfectly.

🧠 Fun Facts About Pecan Pie

• Pecan pie is a Southern classic, believed to have originated in Texas or Louisiana.
• The pecan itself is native to North America — the only major tree nut from the continent.
• November is National Pecan Month, making this recipe ideal for fall baking!
• A single pecan tree can produce over 250 pounds of nuts per year — talk about bounty!

🧺 Storage & Freezing Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 5 days when chilled.
• Freezer: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

🧾 Nutrition (Per Bar)

(approximate values)

• Calories: 270
• Fat: 16g
• Carbs: 30g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 22g

Rich, buttery, nutty, and perfectly sweet — these Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars are a surefire hit that captures everything we love about fall baking.