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Easy Maple Pecan Pie Bars with Brown Butter Crust

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These Easy Maple Pecan Pie Bars with Brown Butter Crust are the ultimate holiday dessert—rich, nutty, buttery, and surprisingly simple to make. With a deep, toffee-like brown butter crust and a soft, gooey maple-pecan topping, they taste like a hug from someone you love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
  2. Brown the butter: Place 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt completely, then continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until it foams, subsides, and small brown specks appear. Remove from heat when it smells nutty and turns golden-amber (about 5-7 minutes). Pour into a heatproof bowl.
  3. Make the crust: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour in the warm browned butter (including brown bits). Stir until the mixture looks like wet sand and holds together when pressed.
  4. Press the crust into the prepared pan firmly and evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are just golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
  5. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk 3 large eggs until frothy. Add 1 cup pure maple syrup, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk until smooth.
  6. Stir in 2 cups pecan halves (or chopped pecans) until evenly coated.
  7. Pour the filling over the hot crust and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  9. Cool completely on a cooling rack for at least 2 hours.
  10. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out of the pan. Slice into bars (12 or 16) using a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

Don’t rush the brown butter—use a light-colored pan and watch closely. Press the crust firmly to prevent crumbling. Cool completely before slicing to allow the filling to set. For best flavor, make a day ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze individual bars wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple pecan pie bars, brown butter crust, holiday dessert, pecan bars, easy dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas dessert

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/easy-maple-pecan-pie-bars-with-brown-butter-crust-best-holiday-dessert/