These Maple Pecan Pie Bars combine a crunchy pecan topping with a sweet, gooey filling that oozes maple goodness. Perfect for any dessert lover!
I love how easy they are to cut and serve. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing while baking! It’s like a cozy hug in dessert form! 🥰
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your crust. You can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend if needed. Just make sure to check the package for ratios, as they can differ.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup brings that lovely sweetness and flavor. If you don’t have it, use light corn syrup, but know it won’t have that distinct maple taste. For a different flavor, try agave syrup.
Pecans: The star of this dessert! If you’re nut-free, try using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch. Toasting the nuts before adding them enhances their flavor greatly.
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for better control of saltiness. If you want to make it dairy-free, you can use coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative!
Powdered Sugar: This creates a tender crust. You can substitute with granulated sugar, but the texture won’t be quite as soft.
How Do I Get a Perfect Crust?
Getting your crust right is crucial for the best texture. Here’s how to ensure it’s perfectly crumbly and delicious:
- Use cold, cubed butter and work quickly. This keeps the butter from melting before it hits the oven.
- Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs—it’s okay if there are small pieces of butter; they will create nice flakiness when baked.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan so it holds together. Don’t skip lining the pan with parchment for easy lifting.
- Bake until lightly golden, which adds flavor. Keep an eye on it; over-baking can make it tough.
How to Make Maple Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Filling:
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes approximately 15 minutes of prep time, plus about 50 minutes total baking time. You’ll need some cooling time afterward, making it about 1 hour and 5 minutes for everything, plus any additional time to let it cool before cutting. Simple and quick, right?
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Baking Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, take a 9×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some overhang on the sides—this will help you lift the bars out easily once they cool.
2. Make the Crust:
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and powdered sugar. Now, it’s time to cut in the cold cubed butter. You can do this using a pastry cutter or your fingers. Aim for a mix that looks like coarse crumbs. Once that’s done, press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
3. Bake the Crust:
Pop the crust in the oven and bake it for about 15-18 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden. As soon as it’s ready, take it out of the oven and set it aside to cool slightly while you make the filling.
4. Prepare the Filling:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is well combined and smooth. This part smells fantastic!
5. Add the Pecans:
Now, stir the pecan halves into the filling mixture until they’re evenly distributed. Your filling is all set!
6. Combine Filling and Crust:
Carefully pour the pecan filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out gently to ensure even coverage.
7. Bake Again:
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30-35 minutes. You’ll want the filling to be set and slightly bubbly around the edges. Keep an eye on it as it gets close to finishing to avoid over-baking.
8. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling time is important, so be patient! Once they’ve cooled properly, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares.
9. Enjoy and Store:
These delicious gooey maple pecan pie bars are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Enjoy your tasty treat!
Can I Use a Different Type of Nut?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional, you can substitute them with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor and texture. Just keep in mind that the taste will vary slightly.
Can I Make These Bars Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the bars up to a day in advance. Just bake them, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
What Is the Best Way to Cut the Bars?
For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and consider wiping the knife with a damp cloth between cuts to prevent sticking. Cutting when the bars are slightly warm but not hot can also help achieve cleaner edges.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying!
