Pecan Pie Shortbread Bars

These pecan pie shortbread bars have all of your favorite ooey-gooey flavors of pecan pie in a delicious shortbread crust bar. If you don’t want to tackle pies this Thanksgiving, try baking these instead! And, finish off your Thanksgiving menu with our other Thanksgiving recipes!

I LOVE pecan pie, so having a pecan pie bar that I can grab and enjoy is like next-level heaven! These pecan pie shortbread bars have an easy shortbread crust that’s topped with your same favorite pecan pie filling that’s just a tad bit thickened to hold together as an easy to eat bar.

Ingredients needed

To make these easy pecan pie shortbread bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. flour – divided
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup dark Karo syrup
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs – beaten
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

How to make pecan pie bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a food processor, add 1 cup flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine. Add in the cold butter one small chunk at a time. Continue to pulse until the dough starts to come together.
3. Remove the dough from the food processor and press into the greased 9×9 baking dish using your hands. Smooth out the bottom and make sure it’s even. Using a fork, pierce the bottom of the crust multiple times throughout the pan. Doing this will help prevent the crust from rising during baking.
4. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place onto a cooling rack to cool.
5. While the crust is cooling, add the eggs to a small bowl and whisk until beaten. Then, add the dark Karo, sugar, pecans, vanilla, and 2 Tbsp. flour – whisk to combine.
6. Pour over the cooled crust and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center is set and a knife comes out clean.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for at least an hour or two, then cut into bars and serve.

Recipe FAQs

How can you tell when pecan pie bars are done?

Just like with pecan pie, you can tell when pecan pie bars are done with the center holds its shape (only slightly jiggly or no jiggle at all) and a knife comes out clean when tested.

Should you refrigerate pecan pie bars?

Pecan pie bars can be stored for 1-2 days at room temperature in an air-tight container. However, beyond that, you should refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.

Do pecan pie bars set as they cool?

Yes, the center will continue to fully set as they cool. I would allow them to cool for at least an hour or two before serving.

What size pan should I use?

I used a 9×9 baking dish for this recipe. You could also use an 8×8 pan, but you may need to blind bake the shortbread crust a few minutes longer.

Recommended kitchen resources for this recipe

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Find these pecan pie shortbread bars plus more inside Gather – A Thanksgiving Cookbook

Enjoy these other holiday desserts!

• Sweet Potato Custard Pie – this pie is HEAVENLY!
• Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake – This cake looks elegant but is super simple! The key is to use this gorgeous bundt cake pan!
• Red Velvet Cake with Butter Roux Frosting – also known as Waldorf Astoria cake, this is not your common red velvet cake!
• Hot Cocoa Sandwich Cookies – my favorite Christmas cookie!

Pecan Pie Shortbread Cookies