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Ultra close-up macro of sliced chewy brown butter pecan pie bars with gooey maple caramel pull and toasted pecans

Chewy Brown Butter Pecan Pie Bars (Shortbread Crust)

Decadent chewy pecan pie bars featuring a rich brown butter shortbread crust crowned with a gooey honey maple pecan caramel filling and flaky sea salt.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Brown Butter Shortbread Crust
  • 1/2 cup unsalted European butter, browned (1 stick)
  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup powdered confectioners sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
Gooey Pecan Caramel Topping
  • 1/2 cup unsalted European butter, browned (1 stick)
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup pure dark Grade A maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup raw clover honey
  • 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 2 large farm eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 3 cups raw pecan halves, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp flaky Maldon sea salt (for finishing)

Method
 

Brown Butter & Shortbread Crust
  1. Melt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown flecks form and it smells nutty (approx. 5 minutes). Pour into a bowl to halt cooking; divide into two 1/2-cup portions.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup browned butter. Press firmly and evenly into the pan.
  3. Par-bake the shortbread crust at 350°F (175°C) for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden at the perimeter. Keep warm.
Pecan Filling & Final Bake
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup browned butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, heavy cream, vanilla, salt, and eggs until glossy. Fold in chopped pecans.
  2. Pour pecan mixture evenly over the warm crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22-26 minutes until edges bubble and center is just set.
  3. Sprinkle immediately with flaky Maldon sea salt. Cool completely in the pan for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into 16 neat squares with a sharp knife.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 175mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 360IUCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.4mg

Notes

Keywords: pecan pie bars with shortbread crust, brown butter pecan pie bars, easy pecan pie bars, thanksgiving dessert bars, chewy pecan squares, best holiday baking bars

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