Description
A rich, gooey dessert bar featuring a shortbread crust topped with a maple syrup and bourbon-infused pecan filling. These bars are easier to make and transport than traditional pecan pie, offering a sophisticated holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Shortbread Crust:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (15g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Maple Bourbon Filling:
- 1 cup (240ml) pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber or Grade B)
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Topping:
- 2 cups pecan halves
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides, and grease lightly.
- In a medium bowl, mix softened butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, salt, and flour until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs and egg yolk until smooth. Add maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons flour. Whisk vigorously for one minute until smooth.
- Pour the filling over the hot crust and sprinkle pecan halves evenly over the top.
- Bake at 325°F for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set but still has a slight jiggle. Cover with foil if pecans brown too quickly.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours (overnight is best) to allow the filling to set.
- Lift bars out using the parchment sling and slice into squares. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
Notes
Do not rush the cooling process; cutting warm bars will result in a gooey mess. Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup. The crust must be pressed firmly to prevent crumbling. If your oven runs hot, check bars at 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: pecan pie bars, maple bourbon dessert, holiday baking, fall recipes, easy pecan pie, shortbread crust, make-ahead dessert