Description
Indulgent brown butter pecan pie bars blend Southern comfort with nutty richness, offering a delectable twist on classic dessert traditions. Crisp buttery crust and caramelized pecans create a luxurious experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecans:
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Butter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (for filling)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for crust)
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup maple syrup (or honey)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for crust)
Eggs and Dairy:
- 3 large eggs
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for crust)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for filling)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for crust)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage and slight overhang for easy removal.
- Create a golden-brown butter by heating in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling continuously until it develops a rich, nutty aroma and caramel-like color. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Pour the slightly cooled browned butter into the dry ingredients and mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Press the buttery crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan, using fingertips or a flat utensil to create a uniform layer. Bake for 15 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.
- Whisk eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold chopped pecans into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the filling.
- Carefully pour the pecan filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and shows minimal jiggle when gently shaken.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.
- Once thoroughly cooled, lift the bars out using parchment paper edges and slice into neat squares.
Notes
- Brown the butter carefully to develop a deep, rich flavor without burning, watching the color change from yellow to golden brown while stirring constantly.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to the filling to enhance their nutty essence and prevent sogginess in the final bars.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting to ensure clean, precise edges and help the filling set properly for a more professional presentation.
- Try alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a different flavor profile if corn syrup isn’t preferred in your diet.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 327 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 77 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg