Pecan Squares Recipe (2024)

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This is a must try recipe if you’re a pecan lover. Pecan Pie Bars offer you all of the goodness of a pecan pie without all the mess. They are quick to make and you can eat them with your hands!

I love this dessert for the holidays but don’t let that limit you. Pecan pie bars can be made year round. It features a shortbread crust with a delicious filling and then it is topped with pecans. Yum!

Pecan Squares Recipe (1)

Pecan Pie Bars

The pecan squares are a delightful mix of pecan pie and cookie. The pecans are baked in a luscious caramel filling atop a crisp brown sugar crust. These pie bars are the easy, less complicated version of the pecan pie. They are a great addition to your holiday meal or a cookie plate to gift to neighbors.

The shortbread crust is the real MVP of this recipe. It is buttery and will melt in your mouth. Picture it like eating a shortbread cookie with pecan deliciousness on top.

These lovely bars are great to make ahead of time. I like to prepare them the day before and then refrigerate them until I am ready to cut and serve. Easy Peasy.

Pecan Squares Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Flour
  • Honey
  • Granulated sugar
  • Heavy cream
  • Pecan halves
  • Vanilla

Recipe Instructions

  • To make the crust: Mix butter and brown sugar. Add salt, and mix to combine. Add flour 1 cup at a time.
  • Press dough into baking pan. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Bake until golden brown.
  • To make the filling: Place butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Remove pan from heat; stir in nuts and vanilla.
  • Pour filling onto the cooled crust and then Bake. Cut into 1×3 inch bars. Enjoy!
Pecan Squares Recipe (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know when pecan pie bars are done?

Pecan pie bars are cooked when the center of the bars is set and not jiggly. You also want to watch for the edges to crisp up a bit.

Should I refrigerate pecan pie bars?

I tend to like them refrigerated because it makes them so much easier to cut into nice, uniform squares. You can either serve them chilled or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream.

Can you freeze pecan pie bars?

How do you know when pecan pie bars are done? Pecan pie bars are cooked when the center of the bars is set and not jiggly. You also want to watch for the edges to crisp up a bit.

Where do the majority of pecans come from?

Pecan trees are native only to North America. 75% of the world’s pecan crop is grown in the sunbelt region of the U.S. (Southern/Southwest States).

Pecan Squares Recipe (4)

More Recipes

  • Cranberry Pecan Pie Bites
  • Classic Pecan Pie
  • Brown Sugar Banana Bread with Pecans and Chocolate Chips
  • Homemade Samoa Bars
  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie

If you’ve tried Pecan Pie Bars or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me onInstagramso I can repost on my stories.

Pecan Squares Recipe (5)

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5 from 2 votes

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars offer you all of the goodness of a pecan pie in a cookie bar form. They are quick to make and you can eat them with your hands!

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Course: Bar Cookies, Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Dessert

Servings: 24 bars

Calories: 233kcal

Author: Melissa Griffiths

Ingredients

Crust

  • 18 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • ¾ cup light-brown sugar firmly packed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 stick
  • ½ cup light-brown sugar firmly packed
  • 6 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves 8 ounces
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place rack in center of oven. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

  • To make the crust: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

  • Add salt, and mix to combine. Add flour 1 cup at a time, on medium speed, mixing until fully incorporated after each addition. Continue mixing until the dough begins to come together in large clumps.

  • Press dough about ¼-inch thick into a 9-by-13-by-1-inch baking pan.

  • Prick the pastry with the tines of a fork. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.

  • Bake until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Reduce oven to 325 degrees.

  • To make the filling: Place butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; stir in nuts and vanilla.

  • Pour filling onto the cooled crust. Bake until filling bubbles, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Run a paring knife around edges of the pan, and invert onto cooling rack, leaving the pastry on the rack. Invert rack with pastry onto a cutting board, leaving the pastry on the board, filling side up.

  • Use a sharp knife to cut into 1-by-3-inch bars. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 397IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Pecan Squares Recipe (6)

After making these simple yet delicious Pecan Pie Bars you might not make the traditional pie version ever again. These bars taste so delicious and are way less work. Enjoy!

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Pecan Squares Recipe (7)

About Melissa & Barbara

As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Joanne

    I’m wondering if you can freeze these bars. I’ve made them before and I had none left But this time I will.

    j

    Reply

    • Melissa Griffiths

      They’ll freeze great!

      Reply

  2. sally

    Could you use milk instead of cream?

    Reply

    • Barbara Schieving

      Hi Sally – yes, I think milk would work fine.

      Reply

  3. Danelle H

    I am goi go to try these. So for the crust you use 10 tablespoons of butter?

    Reply

    • Barbara Schieving

      Hi Danelle – No, 18 tablespoons which is 2 sticks of butter plus 2 tablespoons. Most cookie recipes use 2 sticks of butter, but this cookie base has 3 cups of flour so you need a little extra butter. Enjoy!

      Reply

  4. Karen

    Whoever wrote this needs to divide up the ingredients into crust and topping, How much off all that butter is for the cookie crust and how much for the topping? None of it is detailed

    Reply

    • Barbara Schieving

      Thanks for the input Karen – I added where the filling ingredients start in the recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply

  5. christine

    How do you think walnuts would be? Has anyone tried that?

    Reply

  6. Aletriana

    This is the best recipe for Pecan Squares. I’m telling you once you try them you can’t stop making them. The are soooooo goooood. Barbara thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us.

    Reply

    • Barbara

      Aletriana – thanks for taking the time to let me know you loved the pecan squares. They definitely are addicting. I should make more soon!

      Reply

  7. shabs

    oh barbarra….i love pecans n tis looks the best ever recipe that uses pecans….these looks just sinful….i am making these delectibles when i get some pecans on hand:)
    LOve,
    shabs.

    Reply

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Pecan Squares Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does pecan pair well with? ›

Rich and buttery pecans add crunch and depth of flavor to many dishes. They pair wonderfully with our favorite autumnal flavors—like maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate, and even sweet potatoes—and are the perfect snack regardless of whether they're raw or toasted.

What can I do with too many pecans? ›

Pecans find their way into delicious cheesecake recipes, classic Christmas cookies, and holiday treats galore. Some of the recipes you'll find here like the pecan pralines, candied pecans, and pretzel turtles even make the perfect homemade food gift for Christmas!

How do you use pecan nuts? ›

Pecans are naturally sweet and make a good replacement for candies when sugar cravings hit. Sub raw pecan pieces in for chocolate chips, mixing them into pancakes, muffins, or cookie dough. Add some crunch and protein to salads, oatmeal, quinoa, or yogurt by topping them with raw pecan pieces.

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.

Can you overcook a pecan pie? ›

The edges should be set but the center should wobble a bit, kind of like gelatin. Cook pecan pie too much and it'll crack and be dry. Underbake it and it will be watery and runny. You want to cook pecan pie to an internal temperature of 200°F.

What is the tastiest pecan? ›

You want a richer flavored pecan? This is typically due to a very high oil content – Elliott, Lipan or a seedling (native) pecan may be best for you.

Which pecans have the best flavor? ›

The Elliot variety is one of the most flavorful pecans and a favorite with Georgia Pecan Growers. Elliot pecans produce an oilier meat than other varieties which give it the rich flavor.

Do you serve pecan pie cold or warm? ›

In terms of serving, you have options. You can eat pecan pie cold, let it come to room temperature (for no more than two hours, of course), or warm it the oven until heated through. And, obviously, don't forget the ice cream or whipped cream!

Is it OK to eat pecans every day? ›

Eating a handful of pecans each day can help satisfy cravings for unhealthy snacks and provide a nutritious boost to any meal. Furthermore, pecans can also be included as part of a healthy diet when combined with other nutrient-rich foods in moderation.”

Can eating a lot of pecans cause diarrhea? ›

Like many other nuts, pecans contain a high percentage of fat and can lead to diarrhea if too many are eaten in a short amount of time. Over-consumption may also lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating. Recommendation: One ounce (15-19) pecan halves per day.

What are the side effects of eating pecans? ›

People who are allergic to pecans show symptoms of vomiting, hives, swelling of the throat and tongue, and shortness of breath and dizziness caused by the release of a chemical known as histamine.

What is the number 1 healthiest nut? ›

1. Almonds. Relatively low in calories, almonds are an excellent food for health due to their protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One serving of 23 whole almonds contains:3.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

Are pecan nuts good for kidneys? ›

Use the chart on the next page to choose nuts and seeds that will fit your kidney diet plan. For example, macadamia nuts and pecans are lower in potassium and phosphorus than peanuts and almonds. These types of dialysis can remove more potassium, so you may need to eat more potassium foods.

Is pecan pie still jiggly when done? ›

jiggle in the center when it's ready to take out of the. oven. If it's still liquid-like in the middle, it's too soon.

Why are my pecan bars runny? ›

Why Are My Pecan Pie Bars Runny? If your bars are runny, it's likely because they weren't baked long enough or the oven temperature wasn't hot enough. You need to ensure that the bars are in the oven long enough (at the right temperature) to allow the filling to set up properly.

What temperature should a pecan pie be when it's done? ›

Temperature. Use of an instant-read thermometer is the most objective way to check for doneness, and the target pull temperature for pecan pie is 200 degrees F.

Are pecan pies jiggly when done? ›

You will know your pecan pie is done cooking when you can gently shake the pie dish and see that the center of the pie is not overly jiggly and the outer edges are set. If the pie jiggles a lot when you gently shake the pan, continue cooking it until the center is a little more set.

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