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Best Easy Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars for Fall

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These Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars capture the essence of a classic pecan pie with a buttery shortbread crust, a rich maple-bourbon filling, and toasted pecans. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans (lightly toasted if desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
  3. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten it.
  4. Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Let cool slightly on a wire rack.
  5. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
  6. Stir in the pecans until evenly coated.
  7. Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust. Use a spatula to spread pecans into an even layer.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until filling is set around the edges but slightly jiggly in the center. The top should be golden brown and bubbly.
  9. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes after cooling.
  10. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out of the pan. Slice into 16 squares, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Notes

For clean slices, chill bars for 30 minutes before cutting and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Bars taste even better the next day as flavors meld. To toast pecans, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until fragrant.

Nutrition

Keywords: pecan pie bars, maple bourbon, fall dessert, Thanksgiving, easy dessert, shortbread crust

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/best-easy-maple-bourbon-pecan-pie-bars-for-fall/