Easy Pecan Pie Bars

By Becky Hardin

Published Dec 5, 2018

Pecan Pie Bars are just like the pie, but in an easier to eat bar form. I'll take pecan pie any way I can get it, so these are a favorite. This pecan bars recipe is the perfect Christmas dessert, or just any time you need a special treat! - 2

My easy pecan pie bars taste just like the beloved pie but in an easier-to-eat form. I’ll take pecan pie any way I can get it, but these are a particular favorite of mine. You still get the crust and the filling, but now you get to cut it into squares and eat it with your hands– so fun!

pecan pie bars stacked on top of each other - 3

Classic pecan pie is one of my family’s favorite recipes. It’s hard for me to imagine the holiday season without it, but it’s kind of a hassle to make. I developed these easy pecan pie bars to take the hassle out of making this delicious pie. They taste just as good, and everyone can decide how big of a piece they want– no judgment here!

What’s in This Easy Pecan Pie Bar Recipe?

Flour: All-purpose flour gives the crust structure.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the crust.
Salt: A touch of kosher salt enhances the buttery flavor of the crust.
Butter: Unsalted butter helps bind the crust and makes it rich and flaky.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Makes the filling sweet and sticky!
Egg: Helps bind the filling.
Vanilla Extract : Enhances the warm, nutty flavor of the pecans.
Toffee Bits: Add a wonderful caramelly flavor and crunch. I like Health Bits O’Brickle , but any brand will work.
Pecans: Add that classic nutty flavor and crunch to the bars.

a serving plate filled with pecan bars, on a blue and white striped dish towel - 4

Tips for Success

Make sure the butter is super cold straight from the fridge. You can even chill it for 10-15 minutes in the freezer to ensure it’s super cold.
Don’t overmix the pie dough; otherwise, the crust will turn out tough.
I whipped the condensed milk/egg/vanilla mixture with a hand mixer to get it super light, but this is optional.
For a bit of extra flavor, feel free to fold some chocolate chips into the filling.

How to Store

Store leftover easy pecan pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving chilled, at room temperature, or gently warmed.

5-Star Review

“Made these for my coworkers at the hospital since we have to work Christmas. My girls who don’t really like pecan pie wouldn’t leave them alone. Awesome and sooo yummy. Thank you so much for your site. You save me at dinner more than I can say😊” -Lovey

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Crust

▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
▢ ½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1 cup unsalted butter 227 grams, cold (2 sticks)

For the Pecan Pie Topping

▢ 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 397 grams (1 can)
▢ 1 large egg 50 grams, slightly beaten
▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
▢ 8 ounces Heath Bits O’Brickle Toffee Bits (English Toffee Bits) (1 package)
▢ 1 cup chopped pecans 114 grams

Video

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F if using a glass dish) and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse 3 times to combine the ingredients. 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is just smaller than pea size. 1 cup unsalted butter
Pour the flour/butter mixture into the prepared dish and press firmly down, being sure to get corners and edges.
Bake the crust 15 minutes and transfer from the oven.
While the crust is baking, prepare the pecan pie topping.
In a medium bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla together. 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Stir in the toffee bits and pecans; set aside until crust is ready. 8 ounces Heath Bits O’Brickle Toffee Bits (English Toffee Bits), 1 cup chopped pecans
When the crust is ready, give the pecan mixture a couple of stirs and slowly spread it evenly over the crust.
Bake the bars at 350°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the middle.
Set the bars on a cooling rack to cool, and after 10 minutes, slide a sharp, thin knife between the pan and the bars to loosen the sides. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9×13 Baking Pan
Food Processor

Becky’s Tips

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Pecan Pie Bars Step by Step

Mix the Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (325°F if using a glass dish), spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, and set aside. In the bowl of a food processor, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Pulse 3 times to combine the ingredients.

flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. - 6

Cut in the Butter: Add 1 cup of cold unsalted butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is just smaller than pea size.

Bake the Crust: Pour the flour/butter mixture into the prepared dish and press firmly down, being sure to get corners and edges. Bake the crust for 15 minutes and transfer from the oven.

pie dough pressed into a baking pan. - 8

Mix the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk 14 ounces (1 can) of sweetened condensed milk, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together.

sweetened condensed milk in a glass bowl. - 9

Fold in the Toffee and Pecans: Stir in 8 ounces (1 package) of toffee bits and 1 cup of chopped pecans; set aside until the crust is ready.

Spread the Topping: When the crust is ready, give the pecan mixture a couple of stirs and slowly spread it evenly over the crust.

pouring pecan pie filling over baked pie crust in a baking dish. - 11

Bake the Bars: Bake the bars at 350°F for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the middle. Set the bars on a cooling rack to cool, and after 10 minutes, slide a sharp, thin knife between the pan and the bars to loosen the sides. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into bars.

a bitten pecan pie bar on a white plate. - 12

More Pecan Pie Recipes to Try!

Crock Pot Pecan Pie is such an EASY Pecan Pie Recipe, you won't believe you taste buds! This SLOW COOKER PECAN PIE will knock your socks off and make for a delicious and easy Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter! This is the BEST Pecan Pie Recipe we have ever tasted, and it just so happened to be made in a slow cooker. Win win! - 13

Crock Pot Pecan Pie (EASY Pecan Pie Recipe)

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Muffins are sure to brighten your morning! These tasty mini muffins are the perfect thing to eat for a quick breakfast, for a snack, or even as a fun dessert. They're so flavorful and taste just like pecan pie in muffin form. These breakfast muffins are so easy to make and taste even better with the cream cheese frosting! - 17

Frosted Pecan Pie Muffins

Pecan Pie Pound Cake Recipe

Easy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9x13 Baking Pan
Food Processor