Best 7 Pecan Shortbread Bars Recipes

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If you're looking for a delightful and easy-to-make dessert, pecan shortbread bars are an excellent choice. These classic treats combine a buttery shortbread crust with a sweet and nutty pecan filling, resulting in a delicious and versatile dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, this guide will provide you with the essential steps and tips to create the perfect pecan shortbread bars that will impress your friends and family alike. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create these delectable pecan shortbread bars!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

PECAN SHORTBREAD BARS



Pecan Shortbread Bars image

These crumbly cookies are studded with crunchy pecans.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield Makes 18

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup pecan halves
1 cup (spooned and leveled) all-purpose flour, plus more for preparation
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cold (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.
  • In a food processor, pulse pecans until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl; set aside. In processor, blend flour, sugar, butter, and salt until moist clumps form. Add reserved pecans; pulse 2 or 3 times, just to incorporate.
  • Press dough evenly into the bottom of prepared pan (if dough is sticky, dip fingers in flour). With a floured fork, prick dough every 1/2 inch. Bake until lightly golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Cool 5 minutes in pan. Use foil overhang to lift shortbread from pan onto cutting board. With a serrated knife, carefully cut warm shortbread into 18 bars (6 rows by 3 rows). Remove from foil; cool bars completely on a rack before serving.

PECAN SHORTBREAD



Pecan Shortbread image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 20 to 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups small diced pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.

PECAN BARS



Pecan Bars image

These buttery pecan bars are made with an easy press-in-the-pan shortbread crust, making them the ultimate sweet and salty dessert.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (about 2 cups) pecans
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil. In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg; pulse just until a dough forms.
  • Transfer dough to prepared pan; with floured fingers and an offset spatula, press firmly into bottom and 3/4 inch up sides. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
  • Prick bottom of dough; bake until lightly golden, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool while preparing filling.
  • Make the filling: In a large saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly, until smooth; continue boiling, without stirring, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat. Whisk in cream and salt; mix in pecans.
  • Assemble and bake: Spoon hot filling evenly over crust, using spoon to arrange and press in nuts so they fit snugly (create as flat a surface as possible).
  • Bake until bubbling and amber-colored, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
  • Using foil, lift cake from pan; peel off foil. With a sharp knife, trim edges (if desired). Cut into 6 even strips; cut each strip crosswise into 4 even strips to make 24 bars.

SALTED PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES



Salted Pecan Shortbread Squares image

My shortbread squares are the ultimate go-to for cookie trays and gift-giving. The buttery caramel and toasted nuts make it tough to eat just one. -Diana Ashcraft, Monmouth, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
FILLING:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line two 13x9-in. baking pans with foil, letting ends extend up sides of pan., Place flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and salt in a food processor; pulse until blended. Add butter; pulse until butter is the size of peas. Divide mixture between prepared pans; press onto bottom of pans. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack., For filling, melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips, cream and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans. Spread over crusts., Bake 12-15 minutes or until filling is bubbly. Cool completely in pans on wire racks. Using foil, lift the shortbread out of pans. Gently peel off foil; cut each shortbread into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 70mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

PECAN PIE BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST



Pecan Pie Bars With Shortbread Crust image

One of my favorite bars, this works well also with walnuts! The shortbread crust is light and buttery, make certain to make the crust only on a processor, mixing by hand will produce a harder textured crust, also make certain to pour the topping over the crust when it is hot out of the oven, so prepare the topping while the crust is baking, the filling takes only minutes to make! Yield is only estimated depending on size of bars. Cooking time is for both crust and topping.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 50m

Yield 24 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces (no subs!)
2 cups flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups coarsley chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons whipping cream (unwhipped)

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees, set oven rack to second-lowest position.
  • Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
  • For the crust: In a processor blend all ingredients until mixture begins to form small clumps.
  • Sprinkle the mixture into prepared baking pan.
  • Lightly press the mixture down with a spatula (do not pat down too much).
  • Bake in the second-lowest oven rack for 20 minutes until golden.
  • Meanwhile prepare the filling/topping: In a heavy saucepan melt butter and stir in brown sugar, honey and whipping cream; simmer mixture for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in chopped pecans.
  • Pour the pecan mixture over hot shortbread crust and spread evenly in the pan.
  • Bake on the second-lowest oven rack for about 20-22 minutes.
  • Cool completely in the pan.
  • *NOTE* these bars will cut better if refrigerated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.3, Fat 16.7, SaturatedFat 6.9, Cholesterol 27.1, Sodium 137.6, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 17.6, Protein 2.1

MAPLE PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES



Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares image

These squares are my husband's favorite. We get some real, pure maple syrup from back home in Ontario, Canada, and they are just to die for. Hope you enjoy as much as we do.

Provided by Tracey Lafave Kessler

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 2h15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup softened butter
1 egg
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
½ cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Combine the flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a mixer. Mix in the softened butter until a dough has formed. Press into an ungreased 8x8-inch baking dish, and prick with a fork.
  • Bake the shortbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. While the shortbread is baking, beat the egg in a mixing bowl along with 1/3 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, and pecans. Pour the pecan mixture over the hot crust, and return to the oven. Continue baking until firmed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent sticking. Cool completely, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 151.9 calories, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 26.9 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 48.3 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

SOUTHERN PECAN PIE BARS



Southern Pecan Pie Bars image

With pecans being native to the southern US, this easy bar version of the classic pie is perfect for Thanksgiving. Pair the proverbial nut with Golden Eagle syrup, an Alabama specialty, and this dessert is as Southern as they come.

Provided by Smart Cookie

Categories     Desserts     Pies     Pecan Pie Recipes

Time 2h5m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 12

baking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
⅔ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup salted butter, melted
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup Golden Eagle syrup
3 cups pecans, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on at least 2 sides. Spray the parchment paper with baking spray.
  • Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse 6 or 7 times to combine. Transfer mixture to the lined pan and press into an even layer.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack.
  • Combine eggs, brown sugar, melted butter, flour, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix in syrup until well combined. Stir in pecans. Pour over the still-warm shortbread crust.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until filling is set, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and pull out using the parchment overhang. Slice into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270 calories, Carbohydrate 24.5 g, Cholesterol 51.3 mg, Fat 18.4 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 200.9 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

Tips:

  • For the best results, use high-quality ingredients. This means using real butter, not margarine, and using fresh pecans.
  • To get the shortbread crust perfectly crispy, be sure to chill it for at least 30 minutes before baking.
  • Don't overmix the shortbread dough. Overmixing will make the dough tough.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can make the shortbread dough by hand. Just be sure to work the butter and flour together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • To make the pecan filling, simply combine the pecans, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
  • Be sure to spread the pecan filling evenly over the shortbread crust before baking.
  • Bake the shortbread bars for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
  • Let the shortbread bars cool completely before cutting them into squares.

Conclusion:

These pecan shortbread bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. They're made with a simple shortbread crust and a sweet and nutty pecan filling. The bars are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and they're sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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