Print

Maple Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 118 reviews

These Maple Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery crisp base with a rich, gooey maple pecan filling, topped with maple-coated toasted pecans for a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. Ideal for dessert or a special treat, these bars bake up beautifully in a square pan and are easy to slice and serve.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • 75g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup (tightly packed) brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
  • 1 cup plain flour (all-purpose flour)

Filling

  • 1 1/2 cups pecans
  • 75g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup (tightly packed) brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup real maple syrup (not artificially flavored; honey can be substituted)
  • 2 large eggs (~55g/2oz each)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

Decorating Pecans

  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 tsp salt flakes (for sprinkling at the end, optional but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan-forced) to prepare for baking the bars.
  2. Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 20cm/8″ square pan with butter, then line it with parchment paper, allowing an overhang to lift out the bars easily later.
  3. Make the Base: Melt 75g of butter in a microwave-proof bowl. Stir in the brown sugar and salt, then mix in the flour until combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using your hands and a spatula for an even surface.
  4. Bake and Cool Base: Bake the base for 20 minutes until set. Remove and let it cool for 15 minutes to maintain a crisp texture for the crust.
  5. Toast Pecans: Spread the pecans for the filling on a baking tray and place them in the oven alongside the base for 10 minutes until fragrant and toasted. Once cool enough to handle, roughly chop them.
  6. Make Maple Filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 75g butter. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt, bringing the mixture to a proper simmer. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract, then fold in the chopped toasted pecans.
  7. Prepare Decorating Pecans: Toss the remaining 1/3 cup pecans with 2 tsp maple syrup and a pinch of salt for a glossy, flavorful topping.
  8. Assemble Bars: Pour the maple pecan filling onto the cooled base and spread evenly. Arrange the maple-coated pecans on top.
  9. Bake Final Bars: Bake the assembled bars for 25 minutes until the filling is set and the top is golden and bubbly.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool fully to room temperature, about 2 hours, or refrigerate to speed up the process. Sprinkle with optional salt flakes before cutting into 16 or 9 squares. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • The cooling time after baking the base helps keep the crust crisp but can be skipped if in a hurry.
  • Real maple syrup is recommended to achieve authentic flavor, but honey may be used as a substitute.
  • Salt flakes sprinkled at the end add a pleasant savory contrast to the sweet bars.
  • You can scale up the recipe by using a larger pan and adjusting baking times accordingly.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: maple pecan bars, pecan pie bars, maple dessert, nutty bars, baked dessert, pecan bars

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/maple-pecan-pie-bars-recipe/