Description
Joanna Gaines pecan bars create a sweet Southern treat with buttery caramel and rich pecans. Crumbly shortbread crust and glossy filling make these bars irresistible for guests you’ll want to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) pecan pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsps (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup dark or light corn syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, creating a 2-inch overhang for easy removal.
- Crust Formation: In a stand mixer, cream butter, sugar, and salt until smooth. Gradually add flour on low speed until crumbly. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan and bake 20-22 minutes until edges turn golden-brown.
- Filling Creation: Whisk corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Gently fold in pecan pieces, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Assembly and Baking: Pour filling immediately over hot crust, spreading uniformly with a spatula. Return to oven and bake 25-30 minutes until filling sets and develops a rich golden-brown color.
- Cooling and Setting: Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely at room temperature, approximately 1.5 hours. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to enhance texture and flavor.
- Serving Preparation: Remove bars from pan using parchment paper sling. Slice into 12 precise squares, presenting a delectable dessert ready to be savored.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Use room temperature butter for smoother, more cohesive crust that binds perfectly without falling apart.
- Master Pecan Distribution: Gently fold pecans to ensure even spread, preventing clumping and creating uniform texture in every bite.
- Achieve Perfect Baking Color: Watch edges closely during baking; golden-brown indicates ideal doneness without burning or undercooking.
- Optimize Cooling Technique: Refrigeration is crucial for setting filling and enhancing flavor depth, so patience during cooling process guarantees best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 324
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 194 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg