Description
These Maple Pecan Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a rich, sweet filling made from maple syrup, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate, these bars offer a delightful twist on traditional pecan pie, perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking pan to form an even crust.
- Make the filling: In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, packed brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Carefully fold in the chopped pecans to distribute them evenly throughout the filling.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the pecan filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan. Spread it out gently with a spatula to cover the crust uniformly.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges turn a golden brown color. Baking time ensures a firm yet slightly gooey texture characteristic of pecan pie.
- Cool and finish: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, melt the dark chocolate chips and drizzle over the top of the bars before cutting into 16 squares for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened for easy mixing of the crust ingredients.
- Do not overbake to maintain a moist filling texture.
- The dark chocolate drizzle is optional but adds a rich flavor contrast.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars for 30 minutes after cooling.
- Use high-quality maple syrup for the best flavor.
