Easy Pecan Pie Bars

These Pecan Pie Bars are so good, rich and buttery that they will leave your fingers all sticky and ready to reach for another one! They will become everyones favorite!

They are the perfect bars to add to your cookie platter this Thanksgiving and upcoming Holiday Season. I usually make a list of all the cookies I’m going to make for the season and this recipe has definitely made the cut this year. They are sweet and melt in your mouth, plus the coconut combined with the pecan just adds that touch of sweetness and crunchiness you’d want in these Pecan Pie Bars.

Ingredients

• All Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder – The leavening agent of choice for this recipe.
• Salt
• Brown Sugar – I like to use light brown sugar. The brown sugar adds flavor and moistness to the bars and the molasses prevents the baked goods from drying out.
• Butter – I use softened, unsalted butter.
• Eggs – They create structure and stability in a recipe.
• Vanilla Extract
• Coconut – Shredded
• Pecans – Chopped

How to Make Pecan Pie Bars

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the sugar and butter and combine everything together.

Pat into a 9-inch square prepared baking pan and bake for about 12-15 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl mix together the flour, brown sugar, coconut and chopped pecans. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir again.

Spread over the baked base and bake for 15-20 minutes. Let it cool and cut into bars.

Are Pecans Good for You?

Pecans are a type of nuts native to The United States and Mexico. Pecans are rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, such as zinc. They also help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation. Pecans are low in sugar and filling. A handful of pecans can leave you feeling satisfied and can satisfy those salty snack cravings we get especially in the afternoon.

What’s the Difference Between Light and Dark Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added into it. The real difference between light and dark brown sugar is the amount of molasses contained in the sugar.

Dark brown sugar contains almost double the amount of molasses found in light brown sugar, which is what gives the sugar a rich caramel flavor. Using dark brown sugar in a recipe will give it a darker color and a stronger taste.

Substitutions for Shredded Coconut

If you’re not a coconut lover like me, then you can substitute the shredded coconut for:

• White Chocolate Chips
• Double the amount of Pecans in the recipe
• Add a different kind of nut to the filling such as: Macadamia or Brazil nuts.

How to Tell if Your Pecan Pie Bars are Baked

The bars are baked when they are a golden brown colour and set. Make sure that you don’t over bake the bars, you don’t want to create any cracks on the surface. To make it even easier for you to take the bars out of the pan once ready, place parchment paper on the bottom of the prepared pan before your buttery shortbread crust so that you’ll just have to lift the paper in order to take the whole cookie out before cutting into it.

How to Store Pecan Bars

Pecan Bars can be stored in an airtight container and left at room temperature for about 2 days. They will last about 4 days if refrigerated.

Can Pecan Bars be Frozen?

Yes, Pecan Pie Bars should be wrapped individually in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container. They will last about 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve them, take them out of the freezer and leave them to thaw in the fridge or warm them up in the oven for about 10 minutes.

More Delicious Pecan Desserts Recipes

• Pecan Cinnamon Bread
• Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies
• No-Churn Butter Pecan Ice Cream