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The BEST Pecan Pie Bars

The BEST Pecan Pie Bars – Without the need for making or chilling pie dough, these bars give regular pecan pie a run for its money.  A simple press-in crust and a quick, corn syrup-free (!) topping makes for a seriously decadent no-fuss dessert. Hosting Thanksgiving just got a liiittle less intimidating.

Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE CRUST

  • Cooking spray
  • 2 1/4 sticks butter, softened
  • 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 3 c. all-purpose flour

FOR THE FILLING

  • 1 c. (2 sticks) butter
  • 1 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. honey
  • 6 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/4 c. bourbon
  • 1/4 c. heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 4 c. (16 oz.) pecan halves, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9″-x-13″ baking pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on two sides. Spray parchment.
  2. Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in salt. While beating slowly add flour and beat just until clumps form. 
  3. Using your fingers or a greased back of a measuring cup, press dough into prepared pan. Pierce dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool while you make the filling.
  4. Make the filling: Combine butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, bourbon, heavy cream, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour pecan mixture onto baked crust. 
  5. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. 
  6. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars before serving.

Keywords: desserts, pecan pie bars, pecan desserts