Okay, do you want to hear something crazy?
For the longest time I did not like Pecan Pie. Yup. No joke. Before you start writing me off as your favorite food blogger, let me explain. I did not like Pecan Pie because it was nasty. In fact, Pecan Pie has great flavor. However, for me, it was too sweet. I could never make it past more than two bites. It was too much! Although Pecan Pie was always at the dessert table during the holidays, it was never something that I went for. Well wait, if you put ice cream on it……no, no, no that is still too sweet for me. So how did I justify making these Pecan Pie Bars? Well, honestly, I wanted to stretch my baking skills and see if I could make them in a way that I could enjoy.
I tested this recipe twice and I am proud to report that I made these bars with no influence from anyone else or other sources (POINT FOR NICOLE). I really do love the taste of pecans mixed with that slight caramel flavor. It is divine. Whom ever came up with Pecan Pie should be praised for the heavens for giving us something to work with, but they really could have given us less sugar. I’m just saying. With these bars, they are sweet, but they are not as sweet as some Pecan Pies that I have tried in the past. The level of sweetness in these bars are similar to the Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie I made some months back from “Tour of Teeny Pies” cookbook that I tested. That pie was actually the start of me allowing myself to stay open to the fact that someday I might actually like Pecan Pie.
Now, next week is Thanksgiving and I know that most of you already have your menu ready, but these are perfect for a carry-in for work or gifts for the holidays. If you really thinking about it, the only difference between these bars and a pie is the shape. Well that and the crust is a little different, but you get my drift. I love these bars and what makes them so great is that you can another ingredient to them if you want. You can add bacon, chocolate chips, or butterscotch if you would like to make them fit your personality or liking a bit more. As always, I hope you enjoy this recipe and have a fabulous holiday next week! Peace Out!
Pecan Pie Bars
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- CRUST
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 1/8 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 stick cold butter, diced
- 1/4 c. ice cold water
- FILLING
- 3/4 c. light corn syrup
- 3/4 c. dark corn syrup
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 c. + 1 tbsp. flour
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. maple extract
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 c. pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degree. Prepare a 9X13 rectangular by spraying with baking spray.
- In a food processor, combine flour, both sugars, salt, cold butter, and pulse until fine crumbs appear. Add cold water and pulse until well mixed. Turn the dough to the rectangular pan and press evenly into the pan. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- In a separate large bowl, mix the light and dark corn syrup together; add the brown sugar and eggs one at a time. Add the flour, vanilla extract, maple extract, and salt. Mix in the pecan pieces with a wooden spoon. Pour the pecan filling on top of the prepared crust, place in the oven with the rack in the middle, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set in the middle. Allow to cool and cut into squares.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
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