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Best Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars: Easy 30-Min Recipe

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These maple bourbon pecan pie bars are a quick and easy dessert with a buttery shortbread crust, rich maple-bourbon filling, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for last-minute potlucks, holiday cookie exchanges, or any occasion where you need a show-stopping treat in about 30 minutes of hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber recommended)
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups pecan halves or chopped pecans (toasted if desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse sand with some pea-sized butter pieces.
  3. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and glossy.
  5. Stir in the pecans until evenly coated. Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust and spread evenly.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. The top should be deep golden brown.
  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. Do not cut until fully cooled.
  8. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

For best results, use real maple syrup (not pancake syrup). Toast pecans in a dry skillet for 5 minutes to deepen flavor. Let bars cool completely (at least 2 hours) before slicing to avoid runny filling. Bars taste even better the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple bourbon pecan pie bars, pecan pie bars, easy pecan bars, maple bourbon dessert, holiday bars, cookie exchange recipe, last-minute dessert

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/best-maple-bourbon-pecan-pie-bars-easy-30-min-recipe/