Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
Buttery shortbread crust topped with a rich bourbon-infused pecan filling, baked to a golden finish and cut into easy-to-serve bars. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, (cold, diced) unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (cold, diced) unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup, packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (melted) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter using a pastry blender or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan to form crust.
- Step 2: Bake crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden at edges. Meanwhile, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Remove crust from oven and evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 cups pecan halves over the hot crust. Pour the filling mixture over the pecans, spreading carefully to cover.
- Step 4: Return pan to oven and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes until filling is set and slightly puffed. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into 16 bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
