Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (2024)

Bar Desserts, Lizzy's Favorite Thanksgiving, Pecan, Pie, Pie Filling, Sweet Treats, Thanksgiving30 Comments

Better than your Mama’s Pecan Pie Bars are the best recipe I’ve every tried! And they’re easy to make too! Toss out your old recipe because this Thanksgiving you’ll be using this one!

Better Than Your Mama’s Pecan Pie Bars

My husband is a big time lover of Pecan Pie Bars. He wassure he had the best recipe… until now. I made these for him and he flipped! He ate more slices than I’ll admit and then asked me to make them again later that week! These may just be his new favorite dessert of mine and he’s counting down the days until Thanksgiving so he can have them again.

Bring on the Pie.

I’m all about the classics for Thanksgiving. Great rolls, great stuffing, a little turkey, hot gravy and pie is all I need. Well, that and my grandmother’s cranberry jello. (That post is from 7 years ago and the photo on it horrifies me… but I’ll update that post soon to do the recipe justice!) I’mnot a jello person, but for some reason I love this jello concoction and I must have it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Go figure. Okay, back to pie! How do I even pick though? I don’t. I have a slice of pumpkin, apple and now these fabulous pecan pie bars. They’re soft, gooey, crunchy and have plenty of crust to go with them.

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Easy. I’m all about an easy, delicious recipe. None of this stove top cooking before it hits the oven nonsense. Also, some recipes call for an entire Costco bag of nuts! That’s expensive and more pecans that you really need! The trick to perfect pecan pie bars is enough of the gooey filling! You don’t want a pie bar with straight nuts… that will taste for like trail mix than a dessert!

If you’re looking for Christmas presents yet for your baking friends/family make sure they have food scoops! They’re my favorite for cookies and cupcakes!

Enjoy my Better Than Your Mama’s Pecan Pie Bars this Thanksgiving!

Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (7)

4.89 from 9 votes

Print

Pecan Pie Bars almost too good to be true

Ingredients

  • SHORTBREAD CRUST:
  • 2C.flour
  • 1/2C.powdered sugar
  • 1/4tsp.salt
  • 1C.buttercold
  • PECAN FILLING:
  • 2/3C.brown sugarpacked
  • 1/3C.+ 1 Tbsp. flour
  • 4large eggs
  • 1Tbsp.vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2C.corn syrupI prefer dark for this recipe
  • 1/2tsp.salt
  • 1/4C.heavy whipping cream
  • 3C.roughly chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9X13 inch pan.

  2. 2. Shortbread Crust: Using a food processor or pastry blender combine flour, powdered sugar, salt and cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. It will look very dry, but don't worry! Dump into pan and spread out evenly and then press flat using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup. Bake for 20 minutes.

  3. 3. Filling: White the crust is baking in the oven, combine brown sugar and flour. Mix well. Add eggs, vanilla extract, corn syrup, salt and heavy whipping cream. Let sit while crust bakes and stir every few minutes. Roughly chop your pecans and add just before the crust is done baking, stir well.

  4. 4. Once the crust is done, pour the pecan filling over the crust. Shake the pan to evenly distribute and use a spoon to spread out the pecans evenly! Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the filling it set. It will still have a little jiggle to it like jello but it shouldn't be liquid! Let cool completely before keeping in the fridge until read to serve!

Other Recipes You'll Love!

  • Wicked Witch Cupcakes
  • Fruity Fourth Cupcakes
  • Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
  • Homemade Birthday Cake Oreos
  • Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Cupcakes
  • Breakfast Bundt Cake
  • Homemade Oreos
  • Thin Mint Frosty

3.8K Shares

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment

Comments

  1. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (16)Pamela says

    I’m looking forward to making them. Do you know a yield on this, how many servings it makes?

    Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (17)Lizzy Mae Early says

      It makes an entire casserole dish! So depending on how large you cut the slices it can vary, but it will be between 24-30 pieces!

      Reply

  2. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (19)Laura Wright says

    I’m wondering about the whipping cream amount listed it says, “1/4 C. Tbsp. heavy whipping cream” so 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp.? is that right?

    Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (20)Elizabeth AnnCarter Schraeder says

      Good question… I’m following

      Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (21)Joyce says

      I’m wondering about that cream measurement too!

      Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (22)Beth says

      Yes, I’m curious about this one as well

      Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (23)Lizzy Mae Early says

      So sorry! I was playing around with the recipe and was maybe going to change it to 3 Tbsp but decided to keep it at 1/4 cup. Anyway, so sorry! I fixed it and thanks for catching that!

      Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (24)Vonda Lusk-Dye says

      Mine just says: 1/4 c whipping cream
      1/3 c + 1 T flour

      Reply

  3. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (25)Jileen says

    These look delicious!! I don’t know how you do it all! Bake amazing delicacies, attend college, AND sing in Noteworthy? Yep…I saw you in that new video. 😉 You are a talented and amazing person, Lizzy!!

    Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (26)Lizzy Mae Early says

      Oh you are so sweet! I don’t sing in Noteworthy anymore, they just invited alumni back for that one video. But I can’t believe you recognized me! And I graduated from college… I should probably update my About Me section because so much has changed! I got married! Eeeek! So I still have lots on my plate, just no classes or concerts anymore. Happy baking Jileen!

      Reply

  4. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (27)Debra Curtin says

    I made them. I just thought they were okay. I followed the directions exactly. The crust was too crumbly and I patted it down repeatedly but trusted that it would come together during the baking and then with the filling bake. However, they separated too much for a nice cutting. The filling was fine, not overly sweet. I am glad I tried them but will not make them again. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (28)Lizzy Mae Early says

      Oh no, I’m so sorry you aren’t in love with them! The crust must have just needed to bake a bit longer in the pre-bake process!

      Reply

  5. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (29)Kari says

    When you say butter, what kind are you talking about? If you could tell a specific brand and in what form you use sticks, tub, salted/unsalted) that would be great! So excited to try these!!!

    Reply

    • Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (30)Lizzy Mae Early says

      I use unsalted and I usually use Costco butter, so the Kirtland brand!

      Reply

  6. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (31)Becky says

    Mine were awful!! I have baked a lot, rechecked ingredients and,amounts. Crust was burnt and greasy. Had just baked pies and cookies, so oven is fine. Waste of so many ingredients!!!!!

    Reply

  7. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (32)airgunmaniac says

    The best recipe I’ve every tried.

    Reply

  8. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (34)Brayden Weld says

    Purposeful people always try to achieve something in life, as well as students who want to finish university perfectly, but not everyone succeeds because of the large amount of information given, thanks to this site https://grademiners.com/ on which any written work is done it will be much easier to study

    Reply

  9. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (35)Betty says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (36)
    The best! Very good and easy to make.

    Reply

  10. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (37)Paul says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (38)
    Quite good, even though I substituted Smart Balance for the butter. The crust would most likely be better with half and half of each. The sweetness was just right. .

    Reply

  11. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (39)topairguns says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (40)
    Could I make these with a pre-made pie crust? I know it would loose some flavor fut just as a short cut?

    Reply

  12. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (41)Gleath says

    As delicious as the dish name itself….will bake it today

    Reply

  13. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (42)gunsafeshub says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (43)
    These pecan pie bars are great for the children and adults in any family

    Reply

  14. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (44)Irene Gebe-Norris says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (45)
    These are amazing and so much easier than a pie.

    Reply

  15. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (46)GSP says

    I am making this now. Was wondering in step 3 how long and what temperature do you cook the filling? Or do you?

    Reply

  16. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (47)batak adam says

    the pies look great, great job!

    Reply

  17. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (48)Dawn says

    Do you cook the filling mixture before putting it on the shortbread crust?

    Reply

  18. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (49)Desiree says

    Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (50)
    Thank for the recipe I made for Thanksgiving they came out perfect my family love them

    Reply

  19. Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (51)cici oyun says

    the pies look great, great job brader!

    Reply

Better Than Your Mama's Pecan Pie Bars (you NEED this recipe) - Your Cup of Cake (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for Karo syrup in pecan pie? ›

1. Maple Syrup. Swap in equal parts maple syrup for light or dark corn syrup in pies, cakes, or any recipe where its subtle maple flavor would be welcome.

What can I substitute for bourbon in pecan pie? ›

Vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar have often been used to mimic the taste of bourbon in recipes, but you can clearly tell when they are used as substitutes.

Why didn t pecan pie set? ›

A pecan pie is essentially a custard pie, and a liquid center is almost always the result of underbaking. The Karo Classic Pecan Pie recipe calls for baking the pie for 60 to 70 minutes at 350 degrees. In some ovens, however, the pie can take 75 minutes or more.

How do you serve a frozen pecan pie? ›

Slice frozen pie on cutting board. Place 1 slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about 35 seconds. Let stand for 1 minute before serving. Filling may be hot.

What is the difference between Karo syrup and dark Karo syrup? ›

Karo light corn syrup is a mixture of corn syrup and is flavored with salt and pure vanilla. It is clear and colorless, with a moderately sweet flavor. Karo dark corn syrup is a mixture of corn syrup and a small amount of refiners' syrup (a cane sugar product with a molasses-like flavor).

Is Karo pancake syrup the same as Karo corn syrup? ›

Is Karo® Pancake Syrup interchangeable with Karo® Light or Dark Corn Syrups in recipes? Karo® Pancake Syrup contains maple syrup flavor, but will perform similarly in recipes and may be substituted in baked goods. Go with your own taste preferences for when to substitute.

Why is my Karo pecan pie runny? ›

Pecan pie filling is extremely liquidy when it first goes into the oven, as it's primarily just sugar, corn syrup, and eggs (though you can use maple syrup as an ingredient swap if you're not keen on corn syrup). As such, you have to cook the pecan pie long enough for this liquid to develop a custard-like consistency.

What is the difference between light and dark Karo syrup pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

Does Mrs Smith make pecan pie? ›

Buy your favorite Mrs. Smith's Pies online with Instacart. Order Mrs. Smith's Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

Can I leave my pecan pie out overnight? ›

You can only keep it at room temperature for two hours. Since pecan pies contain eggs, they have more chances to get bad and make you sick. So, if you have kept your pies in the fridge, put them back within two hours. On the other hand, store-bought pies contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling.

Why did my pecan pie come out hard? ›

Pecan pie can become hard if it is left in the oven for too long or at a higher temperature than necessary. This could happen due to an inaccurate cooking time, temperature or failing to cover with aluminum foil for part of the baking time.

How do you keep pecan pie crust from getting soggy? ›

One way to prevent a soggy crust is to essentially seal the surface, creating a barrier between the crust and the filling. Brush the surface of the unbaked crust with a beaten egg or egg white mixed with water before adding the filling.

Why is store bought pecan pie not refrigerated overnight? ›

According to the USDA, any pie that is egg-rich (such as pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, and any custard pie) must be kept in the fridge after baking and cooling. The exception here is some store-bought pies, which may contain preservatives that will allow the pies to be left unrefrigerated.

Does Marie Callender make pecan pie? ›

Southern Pecan Pie 4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value. Read 780 Reviews. Same page link. Indulge in a true Southern classic, brimming with a sweet and luscious filling topped with plenty of crisp pecan halves and pieces in our signature extra-flaky, made-from-scratch pastry crust.

Is it better to freeze a pecan pie baked or unbaked? ›

It's best to start with a fully baked pecan pie to help avoid a major mess in your freezer. (Pecan pie filling is very liquidy before it's baked, and could leak or lean in the pie crust if you put it in the freezer unbaked!) You'll also want to make sure the pie is cooled before you put it in the freezer.

Why does pecan pie need corn syrup? ›

It is quite possible to make pecan pie with brown sugar, white sugar, maple syrup or a combination. Corn syrup sweetens pecan pie and gives it a smooth texture by preventing the crystallization of the sugar when baking. It also acts with the eggs to thicken. It can be replaced with maple syrup and flour.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in a pie? ›

Each one varies in taste as well. Some will have a floral flavor while others will have a more bold taste. When substituting honey for corn syrup, using equivalent amounts is recommended. For every one cup of corn syrup, use one cup of honey instead.

Can I substitute light corn syrup for dark in pecan pie? ›

Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances. In a pecan pie, for example, light corn syrup will contribute sweetness and a hint of vanilla, but that's about it. Dark corn syrup, in addition to sweetness, will add color and a more robust, toasty flavor.

What can I use instead of dark brown Karo syrup? ›

Molasses can be used in place of dark corn syrup in an equal amount when making baked goods, glazes, and sauces. Alternatively, you can combine 1 part molasses with 3 parts light corn syrup to match the color, flavor, and consistency of dark corn syrup more closely.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 5660

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.