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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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