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Easy Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars: Kid-Approved

maple bourbon pecan pie bars - featured image
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These maple bourbon pecan pie bars are a budget-friendly, kid-approved dessert that comes together in under an hour. With a buttery shortbread crust, gooey maple-bourbon filling, and crunchy toasted pecans, they’re perfect for weeknight treats, potlucks, or holiday dessert tables.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingertips until coarse crumbs form with some pea-sized butter pieces. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and glossy, about 30 seconds.
  4. Spread pecan halves evenly over pre-baked crust. Pour filling mixture over pecans, ensuring it coats all nuts. Gently shake pan to settle.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until filling is set around edges but still slightly jiggly in center. Top should be golden brown and bubbly. If browning too quickly, tent with foil for last 10 minutes.
  6. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (at least 2 hours). Use parchment overhang to lift bars out. Slice into squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade between cuts.

Notes

Keep butter cold for a flaky crust. Don’t over-bake; filling will set as it cools. Use pure maple syrup for best flavor. Let bars cool completely before slicing. For bourbon-free version, omit bourbon and add 2 tablespoons maple syrup plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: pecan pie bars, maple bourbon, easy dessert, kid-friendly, budget-friendly, pecan bars, maple syrup, bourbon dessert

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/easy-maple-bourbon-pecan-pie-bars-kid-approved/