Description
Deliciously rich and buttery Maple Pecan Pie Bars featuring a crisp flour base topped with a luscious maple syrup pecan filling and finished with maple-coated pecans for a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. These bars bake to golden perfection in under an hour and are perfect for sharing as a dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Base
- 75g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup (tightly packed) brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt
- 1 cup plain flour (all-purpose flour)
Filling
- 75g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (tightly packed) brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup (not artificially flavored; honey can also be used)
- 2 large eggs (~55g/2oz each)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups pecans (for filling), toasted and roughly chopped
Decorating Pecans
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 tsp salt flakes, for sprinkling at the end (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan-forced) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Prepare Pan: Lightly grease a 20cm/8″ square baking pan with butter and line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal later.
- Make Base: Melt 75g butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix in 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/4 tsp salt thoroughly. Add 1 cup flour and combine to form a dough. Press the mixture evenly into the base of the prepared pan using hands followed by a spatula for smoothness.
- Bake Base: Bake the base for 20 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and allow it to cool for 15 minutes to crisp up before adding filling.
- Toast Pecans: Spread 1 1/2 cups pecans on a tray and bake in the oven alongside the base for 10 minutes until toasted. Once cool, roughly chop the toasted pecans for the filling.
- Prepare Maple Filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 75g butter. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup maple syrup, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Whisk 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract into the cooled maple mixture. Fold in the chopped toasted pecans to complete the filling.
- Prepare Decorating Pecans: Toss 1/3 cup whole pecans with 2 tsp maple syrup and a pinch of salt to coat evenly; these will go on top.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the pecan filling evenly over the baked and cooled base. Arrange the maple-coated whole pecans decoratively on top. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until the filling has set and turned golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool fully at room temperature for about 2 hours to set completely. For faster setting, refrigerate. Once set, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares.
- Optional Finish: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt flakes over the bars before serving for an extra flavor contrast.
Notes
- Using real maple syrup enhances the authentic maple flavor, but honey can be substituted if preferred.
- Cooling the base before adding the filling helps maintain a crisp texture in the final bars.
- Toast pecans carefully to bring out their flavor without burning.
- The optional sprinkling of salt flakes on top balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To scale up the recipe, increase ingredients proportionally and use a larger pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
