Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are a delicious treat that blends the rich flavors of maple syrup and pecans with a buttery crust. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a family gathering, celebrating a special event, or simply craving something sweet. They are easy to make and offer a delightful twist on traditional pecan pie. With a combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these bars will surely impress everyone who takes a bite.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars is a great idea for several reasons. First, they are incredibly delicious. The sweet maple syrup complements the nutty flavors of the pecans, while the salt adds a wonderful contrast. The buttery crust provides the perfect base for the rich filling, making each bite a wonderful experience.
Second, they are easy to prepare. Even if you are not an experienced baker, this recipe is simple to follow. The steps are clear, and the ingredients are common to find at your local grocery store. This means you can whip up a batch without any hassle or stress.
Third, these bars are versatile. You can serve them as a dessert at any gathering or enjoy them with your morning coffee. They can be served warm or cold, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top. The options for enjoying these bars are endless, making them a fantastic addition to any dessert lineup.
Lastly, the bars are ideal for sharing. Whether you’re bringing a dessert to a potluck, serving them at a family gathering, or just sharing with friends, these bars are sure to please a crowd. Their nutty and sweet flavors make them universally appealing.
How to Make Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
To make these delightful bars, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 cup salted butter, melted (226 grams)
- 2 cups + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (284 grams)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (110 grams)
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pecan Pie Filling:
- 1/2 cup salted butter (113 grams)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (110 grams)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream, at room temperature (45 grams)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 and 1/4 cups pecan halves
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1/2 cup cold heavy cream (120 grams)
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar (or more to taste, 22 grams)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
- Ice cream, optional for serving
Directions
Prep the Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray and lining it with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the bars after baking.
Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir everything together until you have a mixture that looks like coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust to prevent it from puffing up while baking. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Once done, take it out and set it aside.
Make the Pecan Pie Filling: In another medium bowl, beat the two eggs and set them aside. In a medium pot, combine the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Heat this mixture over medium heat and stir it together. Once the butter is melted, let it come to a boil and stir gently for about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from heat. Take 1/3 cup of this butter-sugar mixture and pour it into a glass measuring cup. Slowly drizzle this into the beaten eggs while whisking rapidly. Doing this slowly is crucial to avoid scrambling the eggs. After combining, pour this mixture back into the pot, whisking vigorously as you do. Then, stir in the pecans, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Once well mixed, pour this filling over the baked crust.
Bake the Bars: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 28 to 34 minutes. You will know they are ready when the center has a slight jiggle, and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. After baking, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them.
Make Whipped Cream: For the whipped cream, use a medium to large bowl. Combine the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-mix, as this will lead to a grainy texture. It’s best to prepare the whipped cream fresh before serving.
Serve and Store: Slice the cooled bars and serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. You can also sprinkle some flaky sea salt for an extra touch. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you prefer, let the bars sit at room temperature for 20-40 minutes before serving. This will enhance their flavor.
How to Serve Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
Serving Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars is simple and fun. You can serve them either warm or cold. If you serve them warm, they pair perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the bars, enhancing the flavors. If you choose to serve them cold, the almond flavor stands out more and feels incredibly refreshing.
For a touch of elegance, you can plate them on a beautiful dessert stand. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top to elevate the presentation. You can also add some whipped cream on the side or drizzled over the top for added creaminess.
You can enjoy these bars as an everyday treat or serve them for special occasions. They are great for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or cozy family dinners. Their delightful flavors and lovely presentation will always impress your guests.
How to Store Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
To keep your Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars fresh, it is essential to store them properly. Place the sliced bars in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you prefer them to taste the best, let them come back to room temperature before serving, which takes about 20-40 minutes.
If you have leftover whipped cream, store it in a separate airtight container in the fridge. It is best used within 1-2 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Tips to Make Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
Use Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh eggs and high-quality pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: Lining the pan with parchment will make it much easier to remove the bars once they are baked.
Whip the Cream Last: Whipped cream is best when made fresh. Make it just before serving for the lightest texture.
Experiment with Nuts: If you want to change up the flavor, try using different types of nuts, like walnuts or hazelnuts, instead of pecans.
Double the Batch: These bars are always a hit. If you have a bigger crowd, consider doubling the recipe and using two pans.
Variations
You can easily modify this recipe to suit your taste. Here are some variations:
- Chocolate Pecan Bars: Add chocolate chips to the pecan filling for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Nut-Free Version: Omit the nuts and replace them with chocolate or dried fruits for a different texture and flavor.
- Maple Flavor: Enhance the maple flavor by adding a bit of maple extract to the filling.
FAQs
1. Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, dark brown sugar can be used as a substitute. It will give a deeper flavor but will work just as well in the recipe.
2. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the center has a slight jiggle and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! You can use gluten-free all-purpose flour as a substitute to make these bars gluten-free. Make sure the other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Now you are ready to make your own Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars. With their delicious flavors and easy preparation, you and your loved ones are sure to enjoy every bite!
Print
Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious bars blending maple syrup and pecans with a buttery crust, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, melted
- 2 cups + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tbsp heavy cream, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 and 1/4 cups pecan halves
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
- Ice cream, optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a medium bowl. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until coarse crumbs form, then press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Prick holes in the crust and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Set aside.
- Beat the eggs in another bowl. In a pot, combine butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Heat until butter melts, then boil gently for 3 minutes.
- Take 1/3 cup of the mixture and drizzle into the eggs while whisking. Pour this back into the pot, whisking. Stir in pecans, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour filling over the baked crust and return to the oven. Bake for 28-34 minutes until the center slightly jiggles.
- Cool completely before slicing. For whipped cream, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form.
- Serve bars with whipped cream and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
For best flavor, use fresh ingredients and make whipped cream just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pecan pie bars, dessert bars, salted maple dessert
