Baked Bourbon-Pecan Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust
Rich and nutty pecan pie bars infused with a hint of bourbon, baked on a crisp shortbread base for a portable twist on a classic Southern dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar 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 210 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
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups, chopped pecans
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Press the dough evenly into a 9x9-inch baking pan, creating a firm shortbread crust. Bake for 18 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 2 tbsp bourbon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth and glossy.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, then pour mixture evenly over the prebaked crust.
- Step 5: Return pan to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes more until filling is set and slightly puffed. Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Bourbon-Pecan Pie Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 with Buttery Shortbread Crust?
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 with Buttery Shortbread Crust?
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 with Buttery Shortbread Crust 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 with Buttery Shortbread Crust?
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.
