Pecan Pie Bars Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Bake

by: Coral Lee

September18,2020

4

19 Ratings

  • Prep time 35 minutes
  • Cook time 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Makes one 9x13-inch pan

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Author Notes

Pecan pie likely originated when Indigenous Quinipissa and Tangipahoa tribes introduced pecans to French colonists in the 1900s. Pecan pie bars—with their squared-off edges and ideal crust to filling ratio—are a more modern invention.

In colonial times, pecan pie was sweetened with molasses, which provides a much deeper, more complex sweetness than you’ll find in many contemporary recipes (typically made with light or dark corn syrup and granulated sugar). Here, I strike a balance. Both the crust and filling have enough molasses-y dark brown sugar to echo the toasted notes of the pecans, while granulated sugar protects against too much toastiness (i.e. bitterness). The filling— sugars, eggs, flour, butter, spices, salt, nuts—gets whisked together all at once into a sweet sludge that you’ll be tempted to drink straight up (oh, just me?).

In an earlier test, I found that toasted, powdered pecans in the shortcrust yielded a bar that was overly heavy and oily (and, worst of all, tasted faintly reminiscent of a trail bar). So instead, I kept it simple: a crumbly, butter-based, snappy shortcrust that comes together just as snappily in one bowl. When gauging doneness, look at the edges of the pan—between the subtly browned corners and the paler center, it should remind you of a blonde pug (a trick I learned from my days in pastry). —Coral Lee

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • Crust
  • 384 grams(3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 71 grams(1/3 cup) lightly packed dark brown sugar
  • 50 grams(1/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 4 1/2 grams(3/4 teaspoon) kosher salt
  • 310 3/4 grams(2 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • Filling
  • 319 1/2 grams(1 1/2 cups) lightly packed dark brown sugar
  • 64 grams(1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 442 grams(1 1/3 cups) light corn syrup
  • 14 grams(3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
  • 6 grams(1 1/2 teaspoons) vanilla extract
  • 9 grams(1 1/2 teaspoons) kosher salt
  • 247 grams(2 1/2 cups) pecan halves, toasted
Directions
  1. For the crust: Combine the flour, sugars, and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until big curds form (it shouldn’t come together into one ball).
  2. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing at least 2 inches of overhang on all 4 sides. Plop the dough into the pan, then cover with a sheet of plastic film. Press the crust evenly into the pan, especially into the corners, then freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
  3. Remove the sheet of plastic and bake the crust until golden-brown all over, about 35 to 45 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, make the filling: Roughly chop about ⅓ of the pecans. Beat together the dark brown sugar, flour, eggs, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt until completely smooth. Fold in the chopped and whole nuts, then pour the filling over the baked crust, making sure the nuts are evenly dispersed.
  5. Bake until the filling is set, another 35 to 45 minutes.
  6. Let cool in the pan slightly, before showering with flaky salt, and cutting into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, the pecan pie bars will keep well for up to 4 days.

Tags:

  • Cookie
  • American
  • Butter
  • Pecan
  • Vanilla
  • Egg
  • Bake
  • Fall
  • Dessert

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Smaug

  • Eleanor Molnar

  • FrugalCat

  • Anna Orishchenko

Popular on Food52

9 Reviews

Smaug March 8, 2023

It's worth pointing out that dark corn syrup, more frequently used in pecan pie, contains a good hit of molasses.

Smaug March 8, 2023

The pecan bar recipe I use, by the way (from Maida Heatter, of course) uses honey and lemon zest, a marvelous combination.

Eleanor M. December 16, 2022

Quite possibly the greatest dessert I’ve ever eaten. I swapped out the corn syrup for golden syrup and it was an excellent modification. This is one of those treats that is so rich you feel like you should eat only one, but it’s so good you went to eat the entire pan. It’s delicious with a little homemade whipped cream on top. Don’t stop, don’t think, make these today!

FrugalCat September 23, 2022

Also good with walnuts instead of pecans.

tbl December 23, 2021

I chose this pecan bar recipe, as I always prefer to work with weight rather than volume. BIG MISTAKE. Was this recipe developed using weight or volume measure? When I got to the 3 tablespoons butter and found it weighed close to 45 grams, not the 14 grams stated in the filling, I questioned the entire recipe. 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt weighs 2.4 grams on my tenth gram scale, not the 4 1/2 grams I put into the crust. EPIC FAIL! Test kitchen approved apparently doesn't mean much here. Dumping contents from my food processor now.

Smaug March 8, 2023

2Tb. butter =1 oz.= 28g., so 14g. is one Tb.; clearly a conversion mistake- the author likely is working in volumes (which many bakers still prefer) and using a conversion table. The salt, of course, is dependent on how fine it is.

Lan February 4, 2021

Made these around Christmas time and everyone at work LOVED them!! The recipe was easy and delicious. Definitely let them cool a little before cutting if not the filling is super soft and spills out

Anna O. January 1, 2021

Loved it! It’s the favourite pie in my family. I made it for Thanksgiving, then for Christmas, and I’m doing it today on Jan 1st. My husband, who doesn’t like too sweet recipes, and my kids who are sweet teeth, equally adore it.

Wendy S. November 27, 2020

Delicious. Nice balance between the shortbread and the buttery pecan filling. My chocolate-loving son said "put them in the rotation."

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is pecan pie filling made of? ›

Pecan pie is a delightful concoction of pecan nuts mixed with a rich, caramelly filling made from eggs, butter, corn syrup, and sugar. The earliest pecan pie can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s, but it really peaked in the early 20th century when Karo™ syrup printed a pecan pie recipe on its bottles.

How long does it take for pecan pie to go bad? ›

The USDA says that pecan pies will stay fresh for about three to four days in the refrigerator. Some store-bought pies may have preservatives that extend how long they last, so you can ask your local bakery for their recommendation. But three to four days in the fridge is a good general rule to follow.

What temperature should a pecan pie be? ›

You want to cook pecan pie to an internal temperature of 200°F. Use a digital thermometer to make this easy.

Can I use light corn syrup instead of dark for pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

Can I eat 2 week old pecan pie? ›

Information. Homemade egg-rich pies such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue and custard must be kept refrigerated after cooking and cooling. Cream and chiffon pies must be stored in the refrigerator. These pies can be kept three to four days.

What food poisoning is in pecans? ›

Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to sesame seeds, raw almonds, peanut butter, pistachios, and pecans among others. Other bacterial foodborne pathogens associated with nuts are Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter, Escherichia coli O157:H7, L.

Can I eat pecan pie that was left out overnight? ›

You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick. So, if you have kept your pies in the fridge, put them back within two hours. On the other hand, store-bought pies contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling.

Should pecan pie be jiggly out of the oven? ›

You will know your pecan pie is done when you can shake it gently and it is not overly jiggly. If it jiggles a lot when shaking, continue cooking until the center is more set, 5-10 more minutes. Allow pie to cool completely for several hours before cutting and serving. Or refrigerate for 1-3 days, until ready to serve.

Why is my pecan pie not done in the middle? ›

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees.

Why is my pecan pie not cooked in the middle? ›

As such, you have to cook the pecan pie long enough for this liquid to develop a custard-like consistency. If your pecan pie is runny, simply bake it a bit longer, even up to 20 minutes.

How do you not overcook pecan pie? ›

A hard pecan pie means it was cooked too long. Again, bake the pie just until the filling is set and registers 200 degrees on an instant read thermometer. You can also try covering the top of the pie with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of the baking time and/or baking the pie on a lower rack.

What makes a pecan pie not set up? ›

Here's the thing to remember: If you're filling hasn't set, it means the bottom of the pie crust isn't fully cooked, either. You can prevent the outer crust from further darkening (or even burning) by covering it with aluminum foil or -- more attractively -- with what's known as a pie ring or shield.

Why does my pecan pie get hard? ›

Pecan pie can become hard if it is left in the oven for too long or at a higher temperature than necessary. This could happen due to an inaccurate cooking time, temperature or failing to cover with aluminum foil for part of the baking time.

What ingredient thickens pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What is a substitute for dark corn syrup? ›

Molasses can be used in place of dark corn syrup in an equal amount when making baked goods, glazes, and sauces. Alternatively, you can combine 1 part molasses with 3 parts light corn syrup to match the color, flavor, and consistency of dark corn syrup more closely.

Why does pecan pie taste so good? ›

The pie crust helps serve as a contrast to the pie's ultra-sweet filling. The pecans do the same while providing a nice soft crunch. The consensus when it comes to the taste of the crust and the pecans is that they are buttery. This complements the sweet filling and completes the gooey, delicious dessert.

Why are pecans so filling? ›

Since pecans are rich in protein and healthy, unsaturated fat, this can result in reducing your appetite and leave you feeling fuller, longer. Meaning you won't need another snack before dinner, or maybe you won't eat as much of the appetizer. "Nuts are a good way to make it more filling; they round out the meal.

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