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Cozy Maple Pecan Pie Bars with Brown Sugar Crust

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These maple pecan pie bars feature a buttery brown sugar shortbread crust topped with a rich, gooey maple-pecan filling. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or cozy evenings at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Make the crust: In a food processor, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup dark brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Pulse to mix. Add cold butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are just golden. Cool on a wire rack.
  3. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together ⅔ cup maple syrup, ½ cup dark brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, 1 tablespoon flour, vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon salt until smooth. Fold in pecans.
  4. Pour filling over pre-baked crust and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until filling is set around edges but slightly jiggly in center. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 2 hours).
  5. Use parchment overhang to lift slab out of pan. Slice into 24 bars with a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

Keep butter cold for a flaky crust. Toast pecans lightly before using for deeper flavor. Use real maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber recommended). Let bars cool completely before slicing to avoid a mess. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple pecan pie bars, brown sugar shortbread, pecan bars, maple syrup, holiday dessert, cookie swap, comfort food

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-maple-pecan-pie-bars-with-brown-sugar-crust-recipe/