Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars Recipe – A Cozy Slice of Maple Heaven

As the leaves turn golden and the scent of spices wafts through the kitchen, there’s something simply magical about baking with pecans and maple syrup. These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars bring that nostalgia to life, inviting loved ones to gather around the table. The warm aroma of buttery pecans mingling with sweet maple syrup is enough to make anyone feel at home. Whether it’s a chilly afternoon or a festive holiday celebration, these bars are the perfect treat to brighten your day.

Why You’ll Love It

• Quick and easy to make
• Comforting homemade flavor
• Made with simple ingredients
• Great for any occasion
• Always a crowd-pleaser

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup salted butter, melted (226 grams)
  Melted butter gives the crust its rich flavor.
• 2 cups + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (284 grams)
  Make sure to spoon and level for the perfect crust texture.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (110 grams)
  Adds a wonderful depth of sweetness.
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  A warm spice that complements the maple beautifully.
• 1/4 tsp salt
  Just a touch to enhance all the flavors.
• 1/2 cup salted butter (113 grams)
  This is part of the filling — rich and oh-so-good.
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  Nothing beats the real stuff for that genuine maple flavor.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (110 grams)
  More sweetness for the filling.
• 3 tbsp heavy cream, at room temperature (45 grams)
  For a creamy filling.
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  Helps to create a smooth consistency.
• 3 and 1/4 cups pecan halves
  The stars of the show! Feel free to chop them if you want smaller pieces.
• 1/8 tsp salt
  Balances the sweetness beautifully.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  Essential for that aromatic flavor.
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  For that warm, cozy taste.
• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream (120 grams)
  This is for the whipped cream, adding a delightful touch!
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar (or more to taste, 22 grams)
  Sweetens up the whipped cream perfectly!
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  For extra flavor in the cream.
• Flaky sea salt, for topping
  The finishing touch that brings everything together.
• Ice cream, optional for serving
  Because who can resist a warm bar with a scoop of ice cream?

How to Make It

Let’s get cozy in the kitchen together, shall we?

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350℉. While it warms, spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper so the bars will come out effortlessly.

Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, melt your butter. Stir in the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until you have a mixture that feels like coarse crumbs. Press this deliciously buttery mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan evenly. Prick the crust all over with a fork to prevent puffing, and then pop it into the oven for 18-20 minutes. The aroma will begin to fill your kitchen, hinting at the delights to come. Set aside to cool slightly.

Make the Pecan Pie Filling: In a clean medium bowl, beat the two eggs until they’re frothy, then set them aside. In a medium pot, combine the salted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Heat over medium while stirring until everything melts together beautifully. Bring this luscious mixture to a gentle boil, stirring lazily, for about 3 minutes. Remove it from the heat. Now, spoon out ⅓ cup of this divine butter/sugar mixture into a measuring cup. Slowly drizzle this into the eggs, whisking like a pro the whole time to avoid scrambling. Once it’s well combined, pour the egg mixture back into the pot while whisking vigorously again. Stir in the pecans, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour this glorious filling over your baked crust.

Bake: Slide your creation back into the oven for 28 to 34 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the center has a slight jiggle and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Allow it to cool completely before slicing it into bars.

Make Whipped Cream: Grab a medium to large bowl (trust me, go for the larger one to avoid splatters). Beat together the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until you see stiff peaks form. Don’t overmix — we want it creamy, not buttery! It’s best to whip the cream just before serving.

Serve & Store: Once the bars are cool, slice them up! Serve with that beautiful whipped cream on top. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Let the bars warm to room temperature for 20-40 minutes before serving again, unless you prefer them cold. The whipped cream will last about 1-2 days in the fridge, too.

Kitchen Tips

• Time-saver: You can make the crust ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a couple of days.
• Common mistake fix: If you accidentally scramble the eggs, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before mixing in with the pecans.
• Creative twist: Add a splash of bourbon to the filling for an adult version that adds warmth and depth — perfect for holiday gatherings!

Serving Ideas

These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are perfect for any cozy gathering. They shine bright at a family dinner, Sunday brunch, or just a cozy night in with friends. Try serving them warm, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. For an extra indulgence, a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurt anyone!

Storing & Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Freezer: If you want to store them longer, these bars freeze beautifully! Just wrap them tightly and store them for up to 3 months.
• Fun leftover idea: Crumble the leftover bars over yogurt to make a delicious breakfast or snack!

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Definitely! These bars often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld beautifully!

Q: Can I swap any ingredients?
A: Of course! Feel free to use what you have on hand. This recipe is very forgiving, and you can easily substitute nuts or sweeteners!

Q: What’s the best way to serve it?
A: Fresh from the pan, while it’s still warm and aromatic, is heavenly!

Q: How do I know it’s perfectly cooked?
A: Look for golden edges and that delicious, fragrant smell — that’s your sign it’s just right!

Final Thoughts

Baking these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars creates a lovely sense of togetherness, filling my heart and home with warmth and joy. Every bite brings back cherished memories of family gatherings and laughter-filled conversations. I encourage you to try this recipe, make it your own, and share it with those you love. After all, nothing brings people together quite like the delightful taste of homemade Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars!

Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars

These cozy Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars blend rich maple syrup and buttery pecans, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the crust

• 1 cup salted butter, melted Gives the crust its rich flavor.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled Ensure to spoon and level for perfect texture.
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled Extra for proper crust texture.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed Adds a wonderful depth of sweetness.
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon Warm spice complementing maple.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Enhances all flavors.

For the filling

• 1/2 cup salted butter Rich addition to the filling.
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup Real stuff for genuine flavor.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed Additional sweetness.
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature For a creamy filling.
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature Creates smooth consistency.
• 3 and 1/4 cups pecan halves Stars of the show!
• 1/8 teaspoon salt Balances sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Essential for flavor.
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon For warm, cozy taste.

For the whipped cream

• 1/2 cup cold heavy cream Adds delightful touch.
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar Sweetens the whipped cream.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For extra flavor.

For serving

• to taste flaky sea salt Finishing touch.
• optional scoop ice cream For serving with bars.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350℉ and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper.

Make the Crust

1. Melt the butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and prick all over with a fork.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes and then set aside to cool slightly.

Make the Pecan Pie Filling

1. In a clean bowl, beat the eggs until frothy and set aside.
2. In a medium pot, combine the salted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Heat over medium while stirring until melted. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes.
3. Spoon out ⅓ cup of this mixture into measuring cup and drizzle into the eggs while whisking continuously.
4. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot while whisking vigorously and stir in the pecans, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon.
5. Pour the filling over the baked crust.

Bake

1. Bake for 28 to 34 minutes until the center has a slight jiggle and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
2. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.

Make Whipped Cream

1. Beat together cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

Serve & Store

1. Slice the cooled bars and serve topped with whipped cream.
2. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.

Notes

Consider making the crust ahead of time or adding a splash of bourbon for a richer flavor in the filling. Leftover bars can be crumbled over yogurt for a delicious breakfast.