Maple Pecan Bars

Such a delicious treat for pecan pie lovers:  Maple Pecan Bars

These bars have a buttery shortbread crust and a pecan pie- like topping.  They’re a wonderful treat for fall or the holidays.

Print Pin Save Saved!

No ratings yet

Maple Pecan Bars

This is a delicious treat that's fun in the fall and for the holidays, but also perfect for any time of year.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Cooling Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 2 hours hrs

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bars, maple, pecan

Servings: 30 bars (1 per serving)

Calories: 138kcal

Author: RecipeGirl.com (Adapted barely from Bon Appetit, October 2003)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

CRUST

• ½ cup (1 unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¼ cup granulated white sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

FILLING

• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1½ cups finely chopped pecans

Instructions

CRUST

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x9x2 inch metal cake pan (or use an 8x8, but it will be thicker).
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and egg yolk in a bowl to blend. Add the flour and salt; beat until moist clumps form.
3. Gather the dough together. Press the dough over the bottom and ½ inch up sides of pan. Bake the crust until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool.

FILLING

1. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Boil for 30 seconds. Remove from heat; mix in vanilla, then nuts.
2. Pour the hot filling onto the crust. Bake the bars until the filling is bubbling in the center, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool the bars completely in the pan on a rack (the filling will become firm).
3. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours. Cut into small-sized bars.

Notes

These bars may be prepared up to three days ahead.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 138kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 12mg, Potassium: 48mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 174IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg

Here are a few more pecan desserts that you might enjoy:

• Toasted Pecan Snowballs by Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Brown Butter Toffee Pecan Blondies by RecipeGirl
• Caramel Nougat Pecan Rolls by The Food Charlatan
• Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Bars by RecipeGirl