Description
Butter Pecan Bars are rich, gooey dessert bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust and a caramelized pecan topping. Like a portable version of pecan pie, they’re easy to slice, transport, and enjoy anytime you crave something nutty and sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened and divided
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang.
- In a bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp salt. Add flour gradually and mix until dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- While the crust bakes, melt the remaining 1/2 cup butter. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar, eggs, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth, then fold in chopped pecans.
- Spread the pecan mixture evenly over the hot crust.
- Return pan to oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until topping is golden and just set in the center.
- Let bars cool completely in the pan. Chill for cleaner cuts if desired.
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into squares or bars. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm.
Notes
- Use toasted pecans for deeper flavor. Toast in a dry skillet or oven before chopping.
- Chilling the bars before slicing yields neater pieces.
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for a week.
- You can freeze these bars for up to 2 months — wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
- Swap pecans with other toasted nuts like walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
