Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie Bars Recipe | Easy Holiday Dessert

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Rich, buttery pecan pie bars with a tender brown sugar crust, gooey pecan filling, and a sweet maple glaze. These easy dessert bars have all the flavors of classic pecan pie without the hassle of rolling out pastry, making them perfect for holidays, potlucks, and cookie trays.

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If there’s one dessert that instantly reminds me of the holidays, it’s pecan pie. Growing up, Thanksgiving dessert always included two pies: pumpkin and pecan. My mom made both every single year, and while I would happily eat a slice of each, pecan pie was always my favorite.

Actually, I can’t think of many pies I wouldn’t eat! Apple, cherry, lemon meringue… I don’t discriminate when it comes to dessert.

This Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie Bars Recipe has all the flavors I love about classic pecan pie but in an easy-to-serve dessert bar. With a buttery brown sugar crust, a rich and gooey pecan filling, and an optional maple glaze, these bars are perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, cookie exchanges, and holiday gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Traditional pecan pie is wonderful, but sometimes you want something a little easier to serve. These pecan bars are the perfect solution.

They:

• Have all the classic pecan pie flavor.
• Are easier to transport than a pie.
• Make a great addition to holiday cookie trays.
• Can be made ahead for busy holiday baking.
• Freeze beautifully.
• Are easy to cut into small portions for sharing.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing dessert to a potluck, these old-fashioned pecan pie bars are always a hit.

A Family Tradition with an Oregon Twist

The original version of this recipe comes from the beloved A Taste of Oregon cookbook. Over the years, I’ve played around with it and discovered that it’s a wonderfully forgiving recipe.

Sometimes I add extra pecans because, honestly, can you ever have too many? I’ve even tossed in a handful of chocolate chunks for a little twist on the classic.

This particular version stays true to the original with its buttery shortbread-style crust and sweet pecan topping. The maple glaze adds an extra touch of sweetness, but if you prefer, you can leave it off entirely. They’re absolutely delicious either way.

The Secret to Perfect Pecan Pie Bars

The magic of these bars comes from the combination of textures.

The crust is rich and buttery with just enough sweetness from brown sugar. The filling bakes into that classic gooey pecan pie layer we all love, while the chopped pecans add plenty of crunch in every bite.

A drizzle of maple icing on top ties everything together and makes these bars feel extra special for the holidays.

Ingredient Notes

You’ll only need a handful of pantry staples to make these bars:

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar gives both the crust and filling a deep caramel flavor.

Dark Corn Syrup

Dark corn syrup creates the rich, classic pecan pie taste and beautiful texture.

Pecans

Chopped pecans distribute evenly throughout the bars, making them easy to slice and serve.

Maple Extract

Just a touch of maple extract in the icing complements the pecans perfectly.

Tips for the Best Pecan Pie Bars

• Don’t overbeat the eggs when making the filling.
• Bake until the center is just set.
• Cut the bars while they’re still slightly warm for cleaner slices.
• Let the icing set before stacking or storing.
• Toast the pecans beforehand for even deeper flavor.

Variations

This recipe is easy to customize.

Try adding:

• Chocolate chunks or chips.
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
• Cinnamon for extra warmth.
• Toasted pecans.
• A dollop of homemade whipped cream when serving.
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

One of my favorite things about these old-fashioned pecan pie bars is that they’re perfect for making ahead.

Store them:

• At room temperature for up to 3 days.
• In the refrigerator for up to a week.
• In the freezer for up to 3 months.

They’re actually even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perfect Holiday Dessert

Even though my family traditions have changed over the years, one thing remains the same: there always needs to be something sweet on the holiday table.

Whether you’re skipping the big Thanksgiving feast, hosting a crowd, or simply craving the flavors of classic pecan pie without the fuss of making a pie crust, this Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie Bars Recipe is a wonderful choice.

They’re easy to make, easy to share, and just the right combination of buttery, gooey, crunchy, and sweet. Add them to your holiday cookie trays, package them up for gifts, or enjoy a square with a cup of coffee on a cozy afternoon.

I have a feeling they’ll become a family favorite at your house, too.

More Holiday Desserts You’ll Love

If you enjoy these old-fashioned pecan pie bars, be sure to check out some of my other favorite holiday treats and dessert bars. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, cookie exchanges, and homemade gift giving.

Pecan Pie Bars

Rich, buttery pecan pie bars with a tender brown sugar crust, gooey pecan filling, and a sweet maple glaze. These easy dessert bars have all the flavors of classic pecan pie without the hassle of rolling out pastry, making them perfect for holidays, potlucks, and cookie trays.

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keyword: buttery pecan bars, Easy Pecan Pie Bars, holiday pecan bars, homemade pecan pie bars, maple glazed pecan bars, pecan pie bars, Pecan Pie Bars Recipe, Southern pecan pie bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 Bars

Calories: 250kcal

Author: angela@mealstreetkitchen

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Pastry blender or fork
• Whisk
• rubber spatula
• Cooling Rack
• Sifter (optional)

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Dash of salt
• ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup butter cold and cut into pieces

For the Pecan Filling

• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups dark corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the Maple Icing

• 2 tablespoons butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon maple extract
• 1 –2 tablespoons milk or as needed

Instructions

Make the Crust

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and brown sugar.
• Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 12 minutes.

Make the Filling

• While the crust bakes, whisk the eggs until well combined but not overly frothy.
• Add the brown sugar, flour, and salt and mix until smooth.
• Stir in the dark corn syrup and vanilla extract.
• Pour the filling over the partially baked crust.
• Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly across the top.

Bake

• Return the pan to the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the filling is set and lightly golden.
• Allow the bars to cool slightly, then cut into squares while still warm.

Make the Maple Icing

• In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and maple extract.
• Add enough milk to create a thin, drizzleable consistency.
• Drizzle over the cooled bars.

Notes

• Don’t overbeat the eggs; too much air can create bubbles in the filling.
• Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner slices.
• Let the icing set before storing the bars.
• For cleaner cuts, chill the bars for 30 minutes after they’ve cooled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg