Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze
Sweet and nutty pecan pie bars with a buttery crust, finished with a rich bourbon and maple syrup glaze, inspired by Southern Illinois flavors. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold and cubed, granulated 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 320 calories and feeds 12, 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 unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cold cubed unsalted butter, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Step 2: While crust bakes, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans.
- Step 3: Pour pecan filling evenly over the hot crust and bake for 35-40 minutes until filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Step 4: Combine 2 tbsp bourbon and 3 tbsp pure maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently, stirring for 2 minutes until blended.
- Step 5: Once bars have cooled to room temperature, drizzle the bourbon maple glaze evenly over the top. Chill bars for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares to serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze 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 Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze?
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 Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze?
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 Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Carbondale-Inspired Pecan Pie Bars with Bourbon Maple Glaze?
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.
