Honey Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
Rich pecan pie flavors condensed into portable bars with a golden honey bourbon filling atop a buttery shortbread crust. This desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, cold and cubed 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
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cut in 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter cubes using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 large egg and mix until the dough just comes together. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Step 3: Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey, and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans and 2 tbsp honey until evenly combined.
- Step 6: Pour the pecan filling over the warm crust and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes until the filling is set and slightly puffed.
- Step 7: Cool completely in the pan 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 Honey Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 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 Honey 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 Honey 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 Honey 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 Honey Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars?
Desserts 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.
