If you love classic pecan pie but want something easier, portable, and perfect for sharing, these Easy Pecan Pie Bars are the ultimate dessert. With a buttery shortbread crust, a rich caramel-like filling, and toasted pecans on top, every bite delivers the irresistible flavor of traditional pecan pie—without the hassle of rolling out pie dough.
These bars are ideal for holidays, potlucks, parties, bake sales, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better. They slice beautifully, store well, and are surprisingly simple to make.
Below is the complete recipe, step-by-step instructions, pro tips, storage guide, and SEO-focused elements to help your article rank highly on Google.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pecan Filling
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3 large eggs
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1 cup light corn syrup
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1/2 cup packed brown sugar
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2 tablespoons melted butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups chopped pecans (plus whole pecans for the top if desired)
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Pinch of salt
🍰 How to Make Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Step 1 — Prepare the Shortbread Crust
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
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In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
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Add flour and salt, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
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Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your baking pan.
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Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
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This forms the sturdy, buttery base for your pecan filling.
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Step 2 — Make the Gooey Pecan Filling
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
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Stir in the pecans and pinch of salt.
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Pour the mixture evenly over your warm crust.
Step 3 — Bake to Perfection
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Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes.
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Bars are ready when the center is set and no longer jiggly.
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Let cool completely—this step helps them firm up and slice cleanly.
Step 4 — Slice & Serve
Once cooled, lift the parchment to remove the bars from the pan.
Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy the rich, caramelized pecan goodness!
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Pecan Pie Bars
✔ Don’t skip parchment paper — It ensures clean removal and perfect edges.
✔ Use fresh pecans for the richest flavor and crunch.
✔ Let bars cool fully before slicing to avoid a runny filling.
✔ Toast pecans first for deeper, nutty flavor (optional but recommended).
