Always look for fresh, crisp pecans that smell slightly sweet and nutty. Avoid nuts that have a stale or oily scent, as that means they’re old. Buying pecans in bulk and storing them in the freezer helps preserve their natural oils. Toasting them before baking will bring out even more flavor. This simple tip works wonders, just like the way I recommend toasting spices in my White Chicken Chili Recipe for added depth.

Do Pecan Squares Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, they do. These pecan pie bars have a rich, caramel-like filling that keeps best when chilled. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you prefer them soft, let the bars sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to three months.

Can I Make This in a Pie Dish?

Absolutely. You can bake this pecan pie bars recipe in a pie dish if that’s what you have on hand. The texture will be slightly thicker and more like a traditional pie, but the taste stays just as good. You might need to add a few minutes to the baking time. Using a pie dish also makes it easy to serve warm slices with whipped cream or ice cream on top, creating a cozy, home-style dessert.

Can I Double the Recipe?

Yes, you can double the ingredients and bake the bars in a 9x13-inch pan. The bake time remains about the same, though check the center for doneness after 25 minutes. Doubling the recipe is ideal for family gatherings or bake sales since these bars tend to vanish fast, just like the crowd favorites in my Cheesy White Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese .

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe, The Best Easy Dessert You’ll Love (2025)

Name: Pecan Pie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12 bars
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 3/4 cup dark or light corn syrup; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces

Description

Buttery shortbread crust topped with gooey pecan filling, these pecan pie bars are the perfect easy dessert for holidays or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

Cooking spray

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

For the filling:

3/4 cup dark or light corn syrup

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups pecan pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.

2. Cream butter, sugar, and salt until smooth. Mix in flour until crumbly dough forms.

3. Press dough evenly into pan. Bake crust for 20–22 minutes until golden.

4. Whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla, and salt. Stir in pecans.

5. Pour mixture over hot crust. Bake 25–30 minutes until filling is set and golden.

6. Cool completely, then refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Thaw before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 317
Sugar: 24.1 g
Sodium: 171 mg
Fat: 19.6 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11.2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 34.7 g
Fiber: 1.7 g
Protein: 3.6 g
Cholesterol: 52 mg

Keywords: pecan pie bars, pecan pie bars easy, pecan pie bars recipe, brown butter pecan pie bars