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+ servings
pecan pie bars stacked neatly on a white plate

Pecan Pie Bars (gluten-free, whole wheat, all-purpose flour options)

Author Erin Dooner
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 bars
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
These pecan pie bars with a shortbread crust and a caramel pecan topping can be made with gluten-free, all-purpose or whole wheat flour and are made without corn syrup.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 6 tablespoons (84 grams) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 large egg 50 grams, out of shell
  • 1 1/2 cups (207 grams) flour see notes
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the topping:

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey
  • 1/4 cup (80 grams) maple syrup
  • 6 tablespoons (75 grams) brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cups (138 grams) pecans chopped in 1/3" pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Line an 8"x8" pan with a piece of parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, starting off on low and increasing to medium speed until light and fluffy.
    6 tablespoons (84 grams) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • Beat in the egg on low and once well combined, add the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat on low until well combined and it comes together, almost like a dough.
    1 large egg, 1 1/2 cups (207 grams) flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pat onto the bottom of the prepared pan. You may want to use a silicone spatula to help evenly spread it out. Use a fork to poke holes about every 2".
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough no longer appears wet. It won't have browned, except a little bit around the edges, and it will be quite soft. While the crust is cooking, start preparing the topping.
  • In a medium or large saucepan, add the butter, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. Let sit until you remove the crust from the oven.
    1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, 1/4 cup (80 grams) honey, 1/4 cup (80 grams) maple syrup, 6 tablespoons (75 grams) brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 3/8 teaspoon salt
  • Once you remove the crust from the oven, reduce the heat to 350 F (176 C), and let partially cool while continuing with the topping.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil at medium heat and simmer, while stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat as needed to just keep it at a boil and so that it doesn't burn. Remove from the heat and stir in the whipping cream and chopped pecans.
    2 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 1/4 cups (138 grams) pecans
  • Pour the mixture over the partially baked and partially cooled crust and spread to even it out.
  • Bake at 350 F (176 C) for 30 minutes. The topping will be bubbly and have turned a darker, more golden color. It'll appear very greasy at first, but don't worry - it'll be fine! Remove from the oven and let cool for about 2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • For the flour you can use, Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for the gluten-free version or 1 1/2 cups (188 grams) ivory whole wheat or all-purpose flour for a non-gluten-free version.
  • The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator. This recipe yields 12-16 servings. The nutritional info was calculated based on 16 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 355IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mgNet Carbs: 28
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