Pecan Pie Bars | Recipes | PBS Food

Pecan pie is a fixture at many holiday dinners, and now you can get the same taste in an easy bar version. Pecan Pie Bars are a delicious indulgence and a perfect baked gift for friends and neighbors.

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Yield: serves 12 to 16

Course:

    Ingredients

  • Ingredients for Topping
  • 2-1/2 cups pecans
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon dark rum or rum extract
  • Ingredients for Base
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup chilled unsalted butter cut into bits

    Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish.
  2. Toast whole pecans for 7 to 8 minutes until fragrant. Break into pieces when cool.
  3. Prepare the base first. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press mixture evenly into pan. Use a piece of plastic wrap to help press the dough down evenly.
  4. Bake at for 17 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  5. Combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a saucepan. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Remove from heat and whisk one-fourth of hot mixture into beaten eggs to temper; add to remaining hot mixture. Stir in pecan pieces, vanilla and rum, coating pecans completely. Pour filling over crust.
  6. Bake for 34 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.
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