Description
These maple bourbon pecan pie bars feature a buttery shortbread crust and a gooey, rich filling with maple syrup and bourbon. They’re easier than a pie, perfect for gatherings, and packed with holiday flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (Bulleit or Maker’s Mark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans (lightly toasted if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and cut into the flour using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are just golden. Set aside (leave oven on).
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add maple syrup, eggs, bourbon, vanilla, and salt. Whisk vigorously until fully combined and glossy, about 30 seconds. Stir in pecans with a spatula.
- Assemble and bake: Pour filling over warm pre-baked crust and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set and center is just slightly jiggly. Do not overbake.
- Cool and slice: Place pan on a cooling rack and cool completely at room temperature (about 2 hours). Use parchment overhang to lift slab onto a cutting board. Slice into squares with a sharp chef’s knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.
Notes
Let bars cool completely before slicing to avoid runny filling. For cleaner cuts, chill bars in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing. Toast pecans first for deeper flavor. Use room temperature eggs to prevent grainy filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 17
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: pecan pie bars, maple bourbon, shortbread crust, fall dessert, holiday bars, easy pecan bars