Irresistible Pecan Bars Recipe: Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Sweet, crumbly pecan delight bars emerge as a Southern classic that will melt in your mouth.

Buttery layers of golden goodness combine into an irresistible dessert.

Rich pecans provide a delightful crunch against smooth caramel-like filling.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and deep, nutty flavors.

The recipe captures comfort and indulgence in a single square.

Homemade treats like these connect us to cherished baking traditions.

Dive into this decadent dessert that promises to become your new favorite sweet sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients That Make Pecan Bars Stand Out

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides a delightful sweet foundation with rich bakery-style flavor, choose a high-quality brand for best results.
• Butter: Creates a rich, golden base that helps bind ingredients and adds luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Egg: Helps bind the crust ingredients and provides structure to the base layer.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a gooey, luscious texture.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures smooth, silky consistency and prevents crystallization in the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements the sweet base.
• Eggs: Provide richness and help set the filling with a smooth, custardy consistency.

• Pecans: Offer delightful crunch and nutty flavor, select fresh, crisp nuts for maximum taste and texture.

Tools for Baking Golden Pecan Bars

• 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect bar shape and size.
• Parchment paper: Helps with easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing crust and filling separately.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending filling ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy pan release.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading crust and smoothing filling evenly.
• Knife or bench scraper: Helpful for cutting bars after cooling.

Bake Your Own Pecan Bars with This Method

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to a toasty 350ºF. Grab a 9×13-inch pan and give it a light spray with cooking oil. Lay down parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.

• Crust Creation

Grab your cake mix and set aside a small portion. Mix the remaining mix with melted butter and an egg. Spread this delicious base across the pan, creating a golden foundation. Bake until the edges turn a beautiful light brown, about 13-15 minutes.

• Filling Magic

In a separate bowl, blend the reserved cake mix with brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and remaining eggs. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.

• Final Assembly

Pour the luscious filling over the pre-baked crust, making sure it’s evenly spread. Scatter chopped pecans across the top for a delightful crunch. Slide back into the oven and bake until the filling sets beautifully, around 30 minutes.

Topping, Swirl, and Layer Tips for Pecan Bars

• Nutty Flavor Boosters: Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before adding to enhance their rich, warm flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them perfect for busy bakers and last-minute gatherings.
• Texture Twist: Swap half the pecans with toasted walnuts or almonds for a unique nutty blend that adds interesting texture and depth to the classic recipe.
• Sweet Swap Options: Replace corn syrup with maple syrup for a more natural sweetness, or experiment with dark corn syrup for a deeper caramel-like flavor that complements the pecans beautifully.

How to Serve Pecan Bars on a Platter

• Pecan Paradise Plating
• Serve these delectable bars on a rustic wooden board for a cozy, homey presentation that highlights their golden-brown beauty.
• Sweet Sidekick Selection
• Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to complement the rich, nutty flavor of the pecans and add a cool contrast.
• Coffee Companion Moment
• These bars are perfect alongside a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or a creamy cappuccino, creating a delightful afternoon treat that balances the sweetness with robust coffee notes.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging
• Wrap individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine for a charming homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads delicious joy to friends and family.

Keep Pecan Bars Fresh for Snacking Later

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delightful texture.
• Chilled Freshness Strategy: Refrigerate bars up to one week in a sealed container, allowing flavors to develop deeper richness and providing a cool, refreshing treat anytime.
• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months for quick dessert options when unexpected guests arrive or midnight cravings strike.
• Quick Serving Tip: Remove bars from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly, enhancing their melt-in-your-mouth consistency and bringing out the warm pecan and cinnamon flavors.

Nutty Pecan Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Homemade pecan delight bars showcase southern baking traditions with rich caramel and toasted nuts. Classic dessert layers combine buttery shortbread, smooth caramel, and crunchy pecans for a perfect sweet indulgence you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 boxes (9 oz) yellow cake mix (Jiffy brand)
• 1.5 cups light corn syrup
• 1.5 cups pecans (finely chopped)
• 4 eggs (large, divided)
• 0.5 cup butter (melted)
• 0.5 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, lightly coating with cooking spray for easy removal.
2. Crust Construction: Blend cake mix, melted butter, and egg into a cohesive mixture, pressing uniformly across the pan’s bottom to create a smooth, even base. Bake for 13-15 minutes until achieving a delicate golden hue.
3. Filling Formation: Whisk together remaining cake mix, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and eggs into a rich, homogeneous liquid, ensuring thorough incorporation through vigorous mixing.
4. Assembly and Topping: Extract initial crust from oven, carefully drizzle prepared filling across the surface, distributing evenly with a spatula. Lavishly sprinkle chopped pecans over the entire layer, creating a crunchy, textured crown.
5. Final Baking: Return pan to oven, continuing to bake for 30 minutes until filling sets completely and develops a robust, golden complexion.
6. Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool thoroughly within the pan, then lift parchment paper and slice into delectable individual portions, ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking: Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy bar removal and minimal cleanup.
• Check Crust Doneness: Look for a light golden-brown color when pre-baking to ensure a perfect crisp base.
• Blend Filling Thoroughly: Whisk ingredients for two full minutes to create a smooth, well-integrated filling that sets properly.
• Cool Completely: Let bars cool entirely in the pan to help them set and make cutting cleaner and more precise.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg