Irresistible Ina Garten’s Pecan Pie Bars Recipe for Sweet Success

Decadent pecan pie bars by Ina Garten blend classic Southern charm with irresistible sweetness.

These golden-edged treats promise a delightful twist on the traditional holiday dessert.

Buttery, rich, and perfectly balanced, the bars melt in your mouth with each heavenly bite.

Packed with toasted pecans and a deep caramel undertone, they capture the essence of comfort baking.

The recipe brings together simple ingredients that create an extraordinary dessert experience.

Warm, inviting aromas will fill your kitchen as you craft these delectable bars.

Indulge in a slice of pure culinary bliss that transforms an ordinary moment into something magical.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 565 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients for Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the bars, selecting unbleached flour ensures a more natural texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crust, choose fine-crystal sugar for smooth mixing.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates flaky texture, use high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure, fresh farm eggs work best.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor, opt for pure vanilla for deeper aromatic notes.
• Baking Powder: Helps crust rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine sea salt.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty depth, select fresh, whole pecans with rich golden color.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramel-like richness, choose dark brown for deeper flavor.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and glossy finish, seek local raw honey.
• Butter: Creates smooth, velvety texture in topping, use high-quality unsalted butter.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess, select full-fat cream for best results.

• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy note to balance sweetness.
• Orange Zest: Contributes subtle fragrant undertones, use fresh, organic oranges.

Baking Tools for Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large Baking Sheet (18x12x1 inch): Essential for creating the perfect bar base.
• Large Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan: Ideal for cooking the caramel-like topping evenly.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Sifter: Helps combine dry ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Zester: Helps grate lemon and orange zest finely.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading and evening out the crust and topping.
• Plastic Wrap: Needed for storing and chilling the bars.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting clean, precise bars.

Instructions for Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bar Adventure

• Crust Foundation

Create a buttery base using soft butter and sugar, blending them until they become light and fluffy. Gently incorporate eggs and vanilla, then softly fold in flour mixture. Press the dough into a baking sheet, forming a delicate border around the edges. Bake until the surface sets without browning, then let it rest and cool.

• Caramel Pecan Topping

Melt butter with honey and brown sugar in a saucepan, allowing fragrant citrus zests to infuse the mixture. Allow the liquid to bubble and transform, creating a rich golden caramel. Remove from heat and stir in cream and crunchy pecans. Pour this luscious mixture carefully over the cooled crust, ensuring even coverage.

• Final Transformation

Slide the pan back into the oven, letting the topping caramelize and set. Once golden and bubbling, remove and allow the bars to completely cool. Chill in the refrigerator to help the bars firm up. Slice into delectable squares and enjoy the sweet, nutty experience.

Tips to Perfect Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

• Swap traditional flour for almond or gluten-free flour to create a unique base that accommodates dietary preferences while maintaining a delightful crunch.
• Toast pecans before adding to the topping to intensify their nutty richness and develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.
• Reduce honey or brown sugar by 2-3 tablespoons for a less sweet version, perfect for those who prefer a more balanced dessert with subtle caramel undertones.
• Prepare bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and making party planning a breeze.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars or sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to create a gourmet presentation that impresses guests and adds sophisticated flavor layers.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

• Serve Alongside Creamy Delights: Pair these pecan pie bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a decadent dessert experience.
• Craft Elegant Dessert Platters: Arrange the bars on a beautiful serving tray with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few whole pecans for an impressive presentation that will wow your guests.
• Perfect Party Treat: Cut into bite-sized squares for easy sharing at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or afternoon tea parties, making them a versatile and crowd-pleasing dessert option.
• Elevate with Coffee Pairings: Serve these rich, nutty bars alongside a steaming cup of espresso or a smooth caramel latte to balance the sweet, buttery flavors of the dessert.

Storing Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars for Later

• Maximize Freshness: Store these delectable pecan pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their delightful texture and rich flavor.
• Freeze for Later: Carefully wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve their deliciousness for up to 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.
• Room Temperature Tip: Before serving, let the bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly and enhance their mouthwatering taste and tender texture.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts to create clean, beautiful bar edges that look as amazing as they taste.

Indulgent Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pecan pie bars combine classic Southern dessert flavors with elegant cookie-like precision. Crisp buttery crust and rich caramel-pecan topping create a delightful sweet treat you will savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) pecans, coarsely chopped
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 2 ¼ lbs (1 lb + 1 ¼ lbs) (1.02 kg) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup honey
• 3 extra-large eggs
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp grated orange zest

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla extract. Sift dry ingredients and gradually incorporate into wet mixture. Press dough into a lightly greased baking sheet, forming a slight edge, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until set but pale.
2. Pecan Topping Creation: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest. Melt ingredients over low heat, stirring consistently. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Incorporate heavy cream and chopped pecans, mixing thoroughly.
3. Final Baking and Cooling: Pour pecan mixture evenly over cooled crust, ensuring complete coverage. Bake for 25-30 minutes until topping turns golden and sets. Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate when cool, then slice into bars for serving.

Notes

• Perfect Crust Technique: Press dough gently into baking sheet, creating a slight edge to prevent topping from leaking, using flour-dusted hands for easier handling.
• Caramel Topping Precision: Use low heat when melting ingredients to prevent burning, stirring consistently with a wooden spoon for smooth, even texture.
• Baking Time Critical: Watch carefully during final 25-30 minute bake to ensure golden topping without overcooking, which can make bars too hard or burnt.
• Cooling and Storing Strategy: Allow complete cooling at room temperature before refrigerating, then wrap in plastic to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 565
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg