Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
Buttery shortbread crust topped with a rich bourbon-infused pecan filling baked into handheld bars perfect for any festive occasion. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt 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 270 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), cold and diced unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick), melted unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cold diced unsalted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Using a pastry cutter or fingers, blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake crust for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.
- Step 3: While crust bakes, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp bourbon in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Step 4: Remove crust from oven and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans evenly over the hot crust. Pour the bourbon filling over the pecans, spreading evenly.
- Step 5: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set and slightly puffed. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.
